Here’s the train wreck waiting to happen: On one hand, we have the Common Core curriculum, which has basically translated all learning opportunities into a “ELA / Literacy” by-product; students are asked to read more and write more than ever before. And this is not limited to reading or writing classes alone; it’s everywhere. Some of our students who struggle with reading or / and writing have started to dislike classes like math and PE for these classes are asking the students to perform extensive amounts of reading and writing as well.
On the other hand, we have an alarming number of children who demonstrate a literacy issue related to reading and writing; it’s as if there is something in the water (though this is likely not true). However, it appears to be epidemic. Whether it be an issue related to pre-natal care and conditions, or early child development, or an over development of brainwave responses to electronic stimuli, or ???. Who knows? However, the issue of a severe disconnect by many students with reading and writing issues is profound. So what can we do?
One of the challenges I see from an education advocacy perspective is that there are few schools who really know the neuro-developmental aspects about reading and the processes associated with this complex skill. Sure, I hear a lot about “best practices”, “research based methods” and “age appropriate curriculum”, but I rarely find people in the field, teachers and special education specialists, who have an extensive background in reading and literacy development at the neurological level. So I highly recommend the following book for a reference; both parents and teachers can access this book with ease. OVERCOMING DYSLEXIA by Sally Shaywitz. It provides a doctoral level of reading science within the context of a lay-person’s understanding.
However, we still face the following: Too many students are struggling with reading and many schools are struggling as well with how to meet these kids needs. So I have been researching about online programs, specifically targeting reading dyslexia and reading problems. Most recently, I have come across the LEXERCISE program, out of North Carolina. A number of my clients recommend this program, which can be accessed at: https://www.lexercise.com/ This presents an exceptional resource for it does not have geographic limitations and it appears to be affordable. Most notable, it allows older students opportunity to access reading instructional programs leading toward skill development for many secondary programs do not actually support reading development skills often associated with phonemic awareness, fluency, sight word development, and comprehension.
If you have experience with this program, or any other online reading program, please respond so we can share this information within community.
Thank you.
Larry
Special Education Advocacy @ larrydavis@specialeducationadvocacy,org