Something needs to change!

Extra support can be a positive experience
Support for the dyslexic students in my school has been lacking in the past mostly due to the lack of knowledge of this particular learning style. Teachers have tutored and worked with students as much as possible, sometimes after school. This year as we gain the knowledge we need to provide the support, we are working with students in "The Workshop". Care is taken to schedule the sessions at a time when it will not conflict with PE, Music, or Art, but during a time they would be working on worksheets. The students are taken to a resource/computer room to work and usually one of their worksheets are omitted from their daily work so that they will be able to finish their work along with the class. The students seem to view these workshop sessions in a positive light and are honored when chosen for one. (R.J., Oregon, USA)

Special schools for dyslexics only
I think it's time has come to begin developing special schools for dyslexics only. Special education is truly ignoring the dyslexics. This population WILL have to earn a living unlike the mentally retarded. They cannot afford to take the back seat any longer. Jobs today are different and we need these kinds of minds. I read somewhere recently that perhaps we should not force all minds over the same mountain but allow them to go around it because they will see other things. I truly believe that they see the world much differently and their problem solving skills are to be admired. Only when this group bands together, perhaps globally, will things begin to change. (Ann, USA)

Dyslexic students doing exams
I think it's really shocking that my dyslexic students are forced to do exams under the same conditions as everyone else. Surely they should be allowed to use a word-processor and have extra time because of this. The school authorities in my state don't recognize dyslexia as a disability at all, so all the dyslexic pupils do really badly in their exams, despite the fact that they are as intelligent and knowledgeable as anyone else. (L. L.,  USA)

Teachers need a break!
I had volunteered in a classroom for behavioral disordered and children with learning difficulties and was surprised to see how frustrated the teacher was with all of the kids in her class, and how she seemed to single out one child in particular. I know it is a hard job, but I think people should remember who and what they are dealing with and everyone needs a break. (Jennifer, USA)

Additional payments for resource/support teachers
Resource teachers seem to be getting a really bad deal in my view. Most of us are far better qualified than an average teacher. We go to more courses and read more books, to say nothing of the extra time we put in helping children in our free time while the rest of the school staff are taking a break. Isn't it time that our salary matched our skills? (T.B., South Yorkshire, UK)

Many teachers know little about dyslexia
I am quite appalled how many new teachers that have spent four years studying to become a teacher are not aware of dyslexia. I remember as a small girl living in the Caribbean, two teachers were once talking to each other about another student who they referred to as being dumb. They stated that he couldn’t read or write very well for his age but yet he simply sat there being idle all day long. One of them said, “Oh, never mind him… he is being lazy and stupid and doesn’t have any pride in his work”. The trouble was that we, as students, had never heard of dyslexia, and therefore had just falsely assumed that the teachers were right and the student actually was lazy. I now know different and I cringe when I hear teachers now say that a student is not very bright, dumb or stupid. It just goes to show how educated the educators really are!

I was speaking to a teacher recently about a student and his work and her reply was that this student shouldn’t have be taking GCSE because he is slow. It upset me because I knew this student could achieve his GCSEs. I expect that he will get good grades if he is provided with the right support and provisions that are best suited to his needs. It is a shame when schools don’t provide or encourage all of their teaching staff to be aware of conditions, such as dyslexia, that some students may have, nor what can be done to help them and the students to achieve their objectives. (S.W., West Midlands, UK)