There are several organizations and people who can offer sound scientific evidence and ideas for practice.
Which organizations or people do you rely on for support? How do we know who to trust?
Ontario Human Rights Commission
Right to Read Inquiry Report
The Right to Read inquiry report highlights how learning to read is not a privilege but a basic and essential human right. The report includes 157 recommendations to the Ministry of Education, school boards and faculties of education on how to address systemic issues that affect the right to learn to read. The report combines research, human rights expertise and lived experience of students, parents and educators to provide recommendations on curriculum and instruction, early screening, reading interventions, accommodation, professional assessments and systemic issues. Implementing the OHRC’s recommendations will ensure more equitable opportunities and outcomes for students in Ontario’s public education system.
How can we put Research into Practice?
The Reading League Can Help!
This dedicated team of professionals has committed to:
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Building awareness that the scientific research base exists;
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Fostering an understanding of how the evidence base informs classroom practice;
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Supporting educators as they implement instructional practices that align with the evidence base.
The Ontario Branch of the International Dyslexia Association has and extremely comprehensive collection of knowledge about learning to read.
CLICK HERE to access.
This is a comprehensive website that includes high-quality information, webcasts, videos, resources, and on every topic about reading and writing.
CLICK HERE for their page about Structured Literacy.
Many terrific explainer videos on YouTube.
Click on the image above to view - Word Chains
Decoding Dyslexia Ontario is a grassroots movement (almost every US state has a Decoding Dyslexia chapter as well) led by parents who are concerned with the limited access to interventions for children with dyslexia in schools. They are parents, tutors, teachers & students who believe that all children should learn to read in the Province of Ontario (and in each state).
This website is filled with interactive and easy to understand information about every topic imaginable when it comes to learning differences like dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and ADHD. Really helpful for parents and students.
CLICK HERE for new 2020 updates that include the use of the term "dyslexia" in the new Ontario Psychological Association Guidelines for Diagnosis and Assessment of Children, Adolescents, and Adults with Learning Disabilities
We can learn a lot from students. They have ways of knowing and ways of being that are unique, and they have insights that could help us support them. Ask them.
In the videos below, these students (despite well above average intelligence) share what it felt like to struggle with reading in the classroom, and how it felt when they learned that there is a way to make sense of reading and spelling that doesn't depend upon guessing or memorizing.
mangpor2004 (Photographer). (2004). Child Reading at Desk at School. [digital image]. Shutterstock Royalty Free purchase.
Kovack, M. (2018). Gloria: Feelings About Learning to Read. [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3loD7gunlhE
The following list contains a few leaders that I have come to trust over the past 20-30 years due to the quality and complexity and integrity of their research and insights. I have also tested out this research in my practice, and have seen the benefits. There are many other researchers that also have wonderful things to add to the conversation about beginning reading instruction, and I appreciate the dedication and wisdom that these researchers bring to the conversation. This list does not include everyone, and I add to it when I can.
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Dr. Jane Ashby, Professor of Reading Science, Mount St. Joseph University
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Dr. Todd Cunningham (Founder - Bright Lights Psychology Clinic in Toronto)
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Dr. Nell Duke (Comprehension, Informational Text, Project-Based Instruction)
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Dr. Steven Dykstra (has a practical & fun way of explaining things through analogy)
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Dr. Linnea Ehri, Educational Psychologist, Distinguished Professor Emerita, Graduate Center, CUNY
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Dr. Nadine Gaab (Principal Investigator, Gaab Lab - Early ID/Screening)
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Dr. Deb Glaser (author of the Reading Teachers Top Ten Tools - I have taken this training and it was excellent - Deb is approachable and easy to listen to. RTTTT is thorough, and easy to understand. I highly recommend this as a place to begin!)
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Margaret Goldberg, M.A., Co-Founder of Right to Read Project
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Nancy Hennessy, MEd (author of The Reading Comprehension Blueprint - just released! I have listened to a webinar with Nancy Hennessy and felt truly inspired by her wisdom and knowledge about reading comprehension)
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Dr. Jeannine Herron, Neuropsychologist, Director: Talking Fingers; Author
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Dr. Marcia Henry, Professor Emerita San Jose U, President of IDA ('92-'96)
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Dr. Tiffany Hogan, Harvard Research Associate (specializes in the genetic, neurologic, and behavioural links between oral and written language development, with a focus on co-morbid speech, language & literacy disorders. Her webinars about Developmental Language Disorder are outstanding!)
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Dr. Laura Justice (specializes in early childhood education language development. I have attended her keynote addresses and read much of her research - SO engaging & knowledgeable)
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Dr. Pam Kastner, PaTTAN (PennTraining & Tech Assistance Network)
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Dr. David Kilpatrick (author of Equipped for Reading Success, Reading Development and Difficulties, and so much more!)
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Dr. Louisa Moats (author of LETRS training, Speech to Print, and much research)
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Dr. Tim Rasinski (fluency, foundational reading skills)
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Dr. Mark Seidenberg (terrific blog!) (author of Language at the Speed of Sight)
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Dr. Linda Siegel (author of the book Understanding Dyslexia and Other Learning Disabilities)
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Dr. Sally Shaywitz, (author of Overcoming Dyslexia, and prominent neurobiological researcher)
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Dr. Pamela Snow (great blog)
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Dr. Louise Spear-Swerling
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Dr. Kieth Stanovich, Canadian Emeritus Professor of Applied Psych & Human Development, University of Toronto
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Dr. Stephanie Stollar, Assistant Professor at Mount St. Joseph University, Founder of Reading Science Academy
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Dr. Joseph Torgesen, Emeritus Professor of Psychology & Director Emeritus at the Florida Center for Reading Research
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Dr. Jan Wasowicz (manages the SPELLTalk Listserv, which is extremely informative and interactive - Owner of Learning by Design, Inventor of Earobics)
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Dr. Maryanne Wolf (listen to her book, Proust and the Squid, on Audible!)
CLICK HERE to read a PRACTICAL blog from Tiffany Peltier about the latest information about phonemic awareness (and MORE!). Click on the pic above to view this perfect little activity for preschoolers.