As education slowly drifts to a new normal, and parents take stock of where they are and what their priorities are in education, it is best to be aware of what to be on the lookout for because dyslexic students learn so differently. AUDITORY PROCESSING HURDLES Because...
Real World Learning with Dr. Glenn Sterner
In our interview with CEO Brett Kopf, he told us that the experience of being part of the Bailey Scholar program at Michigan State University was life changing in terms of finding a positive future for himself. He told me that his advisor was a really inspirational...
Tips From Hannah: College Junior with a 4.0 [Premium]
KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS – SELF-ADVOCATE – Early in group work, let your fellow students know that you’re dyslexic. Say, “I’m dyslexic, so I can’t read or write well, but I’m creative and can come up with ideas.” – Don’t be afraid of asking students to read things for you. You can help more if people read things aloud to you. – Research on RateMyProfessor ahead of time to find teachers that will work with you re: dyslexia. Are there any warning signs? I like choosing professors who like a lot of class participation. ASK FOR SUBSITUTIONS IF YOU NEED THEM When snow days upset the schedule at school, Hannah had to face learning material and putting together an assignment over Thanksgiving break without the help […]
Going Back: Learning To Live With The New Normal
This is an old post from the early peak post-COVID times. We'll leave this up in case some of the advice is helpful. Whether it's you going back to work, or your children trying a new part-in school, part-remote school routine, many of us will be having to adjust to...
Online Certifications
With some jobs and higher educations up in the air because of the pandemic, some college graduates and workers are looking to online certification programs to improve their future job prospects or salary. Certificates may be highly desirable or required for certain...
Prepared for College: What High Schooler Students Should Know [Premium]
There are many changes impacting high school students because of the pandemic, but it’s never too early to look ahead and prepare for your higher education journey. Many colleges are back in session, but numerous students are also opting to take gap years. For the most part, colleges and universities are waiving their requirements for college entrance exams, so look for new opportunities if test scores or other factors have previously help your student back. I recently had the chance to chat about college prep, the college search, and college success tips with Elizabeth Hamblet, author of From High School to College: Steps to Success for Students with Disabilities. Listen to my interview with Elizabeth here. Here are some pearls from our discussion: – […]
Q & A: Map Testing
Across the United States, millions of K-12 school children take the NWEA MAP or Measures of Academic Progress tests. Using a computerized adaptive test it assesses math and reading in the early grades, and language usage and science for older students. By having...
Don’t Let Working Memory Prevent Math Learning
We don't spend enough time thinking about how much working memory overload could be impact in learning. In math, the issue is especially dire. CALCULATIONS In the early grades, working memory overload can occur when basic math facts can't be learned to the point of...
Dyslexia and the NEW SAT [Premium]
The new SAT started March 2016. From the New York Times, “What’s true of the writing section is true of the new SAT in general: There’s much more to read. “The most fundamental change is that there are many, many more words,” said Aaron Golumbfskie, education director for PrepMatters. “If you don’t read well and happily, this test isn’t going to be your friend.” Even the math section will require more reading, with fewer questions based on equations and more word problems. Some prompts will present the same type of real-world situations that the Common Core emphasizes — “The recommended daily calcium intake for a 20-year-old is 1,000 milligrams (mg). One cup of milk contains 299 mg….” Mr. Golumbfskie describes the math section as “tighter […]
Dyslexia and the Illusion of Inclusion – Making Education Fit the Child [Premium]
There’s a viral post circulating on the Internet from a Texas special education professor: “It’s OK to say dyslexia!” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan tweeted shortly before his agency released guidance targeting the needs of the 2.5 million students with a learning disability. But while the government highlights the unique needs of students with learning disabilities, they are seemingly getting lost in misguided policies and practices in the name of educational equity.” What she protests (rightly) is the fact that reading and math scores for 4th and 8th graders have remained stagnant or declining since 2013. Also, in the name of inclusion, students with learning disabilities are being denied appropriate remediation because of a desire to keep them in general education classrooms. For dyslexic students, we respectfully put forth […]
Test Accommodations for Students with Dyslexia Under the ADA – DOJ Statement
The Department of Justice has also released video clarification of key rights for students regarding testing accommodations under the ADA or Americans with Disabilities Act. The entire video is located at the bottom of this post, but we are highlighting a section...
The Moral Harm of Dyslexia Unawareness [Premium]
Primum non nocere. – Latin Saying (First, do no harm) The Latin Saying Primum non-nocere may not have originated with Hippocrates, however the advice is also like a laser beam focused on the greatest harm that comes from dyslexia unawareness.It’s a tragedy that so many negative ripples can affect and direct a young person’s life when dyslexia is not recognized, students are accused of not trying, scolded, shamed, and worse. The reality is that a student isn’t getting an appropriate education or the positive encouragement that they should.
The truth about being dyslexic is that it comes with many strengths and advantages. Dyslexic adults outperform non-dyslexics in spatial reasoning, divergent creativity and problem solving, and incidental learning. The dyslexia legacy includes some of the […]
