Dyslexia and the Right To Read Inquiry Report
The Right to Read Inquiry Report for 2022 was eye-opening for parents and educators across the province. It combined lived experience of students, research, and human rights expertise in order to provide proper recommendations to the Ontarian school systems on how to improve their teaching methods.
The Inquiry took a deep dive into the learning processes and procedures for public schools. It was able to confidently conclude that students with reading challenges and disabilities such as dyslexia were being left behind within the current system and curriculum.
It stated that these children were not receiving the proper teaching required, unintentionally perpetuating the various challenges and struggles they experience caused by their reading challenges. The Report concluded that the best way to teach children was through evidence-based methods such as the Orton-Gillingham method used by Online Reading Tutor.
Patricia DeGuire, Ontario Human Rights Chief Commissioner, stated during the report, "With a systemic evidence-based approach, we can prevent reading failures in almost every child". This is something that ORT continues to provide with our tutoring program that is successful for all ages, with a schedule that is created to suit the needs of the learner. Patricia goes on to say “Ontario’s approach to screening students for reading difficulties is inconsistent, ad hoc, and relies mostly on non-evidence-based reading assessments”.
“The Inquiry is not just about an equal right to read - it is about an equal right to a future.”
With ORT’s dyslexia training app, this problem can be resolved in a matter of minutes. Stage on of the app will assess your learner's reading and decoding skills through a variety of exercises. This screening assessment will provide a detailed and accurate report along with explanations on what exactly their areas of struggle are.
The report goes on to speak about the importance of figuring out and understanding the underlying problem that is causing the reading struggles. Reema Khawja, the Ontario Human Rights Commission's Senior Legal Counsel, said that “research confirms the importance of early screening followed by immediate evidence-based intervention”. With the in-depth analysis and explanation of an individual's specific struggle areas and suggestions for next steps provided by ORT’s Screener, success is possible.
However, when it comes to the suggested steps for those with reading challenges such as dyslexia, it will most likely suggest seeking extra help and training, something that ORT can provide! Our model of daily 20-30 minute sessions completed in the app, provides a framework that breeds success.
The Orton-Gillingham method that we base all our lessons off of is exactly what the Right to Read Inquiry suggested. It is a research-proven method that focuses on the five areas outlined by the National Reading Panel as essential to building strong reading skills. These areas are phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
With the proper tools and methods leveraged in our program, the support and encouragement at home, and easy scheduling, ORT has been proven to provide an environment that promotes success and improvement.
DeGuire states that “studies show that at least ⅓ of all Ontarian students leave school without attaining the level of literacy that the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development deems necessary to function fully in today’s economy”.
It is easy to get left behind in the public school system where there are upwards of 30 children in a given class with a single teacher. With the changes proposed by the Right to Read Inquiry report, it could take years to plan and implement a successful new curriculum. In the meantime, these kids will remain struggling with a problem that can be resolved now. Online Reading Tutor is a solution that is available to all families, and we are prepared to help learners across North America, with any reading challenges they may have.
From the Right to Read Inquiry Report, to trusted researchers and experts, we know the best ways to teach reading and the optimal ways to promote success. Let ORT help your learner reach their full potential!