Funds urged for dyslexic resources

The Education Ministry must back up its talk about improving resources for dyslexic children with money, a lobby group says.

The ministry announced this week that it was working with literacy experts and dyslexic support groups to develop new resources.

Its plan includes better assessment tools to ensure dyslexic students are identified earlier, better resources for teachers, and information for parents on how to support their children.

However, the Dyslexia Foundation said while it was pleased with the progress the ministry had made, it had to ensure adequate funding was available.

"Since our initial meeting with the ministry a good deal of progress has been made," Dyslexia Foundation chairman of trustees Guy Pope-Mayell said.

"Parents should be encouraged and feel empowered to discuss their child's learning needs with teachers and most critically, the Government needs to deliver funding that will allow this to all happen."

The ministry's group manager of curriculum, teaching and learning design, Mary Chamberlain, said that while most New Zealand students were doing well some did not make the expected progress in reading and writing.

"We are determined to ensure that the different needs of these learners are identified and met as effectively and as early as possible so that specialised instruction can ensure maximum progress," she said.

"We are focusing on ensuring our work to address dyslexia is based on robust research and evidence."

Jenny Tebbutt, president of SPELD, which helps dyslexic children and their parents, said dyslexics could now look forward to future success.

"This is great news and reinforces the effort we have been putting in over so many years with so many families," she said.

"Being able to read and write is one of life's keys to getting somewhere."

The ministry only acknowledged dyslexia as a recognised learning difficulty in April and Cashmere Primary School principal Jacqui Duncan praised it for developing plans quickly.

However, she said professional development for teachers was important if the proposals were to work.

"It is great that the ministry is making progress on this so quickly and that it is basing its definitions and strategies on sound research," she said.

"We need to make sure our teachers feel comfortable in what they are going to be doing though.

It is possible for schools to do these things within budget if they are committed but extra resources would help."

- © Fairfax NZ News