I open this blog with the disclaimer that these thoughts are my own. In light of the the “Reading wars” coming front and center yet again…I felt the urge to post some thoughts regarding the issue. In my own state of Wisconsin, the reading wars has become largely political. A dyslexia study committee was formed last summer with the intent of creating and bringing forth legislation targeted to benefit students with dyslexia and/or other reading difficulties. At present, one piece of the legislation, the creation of a position at DPI for a Dyslexia Specialist (Special Education) position has passed. Granted, children that experience dyslexia and other reading difficulties have been marginalized in the education system and admittedly, many teachers do not feel adequately prepared to help them with their reading difficulties. But this has become more of an “Us against them” mentality, much like the “Reading wars.” Literacy is complex. There is not a single program that is capable of meeting the needs of every single child learning to read. If there were, educators would be all over it! Every. single. educator. wants ALL of their students to be successful when learning to read. What we have is so much more than a dyslexia, or reading wars issue. What we truly have is an equity issue. Educators do not have equal professional development, nor did they receive equal teacher training in college. Instead of focusing our attention on who is wrong or right in regards to the issue, lets collaborate professionally to make education more equitable for ALL students. Undeniably, there are some parts from both philosophies that are beneficial for some children. But in the end, until we get the pedagogy around reading and writing more equitable, no one wins. For more information regarding the reading wars, I encourage you to read; The Big Lie About the Science of Reading
-Ryanne Deschane
LittleLitBits 