Who Should Teach Structured Literacy?

With the new changes in legislation, teachers across the country will want to be prepared to support Structured Literacy in their classrooms. To feel equipped to deliver this evidence-based approach, they will need a broad knowledge of the elements and principles that can be found in the Knowledge and Practice Standards (KPS) that have been developed by the International Dyslexia Association in an effort to unify and certify those who teach reading.

The International Dyslexia Association has provided a great service to teachers everywhere by adopting Structured Literacy as an application of the Science of Reading. Structured Literacy has been demonstrated as an effective reading framework to teach all learners and is necessary to help students with dyslexia to become successful and engaged learners.

Why Teach Structured Literacy?

Structured Literacy will end the debate regarding effective instruction. As more teachers become skilled in this application and more programs align under the same umbrella, we will see several important changes take place with far-reaching effects.

First, highly qualified teachers will be empowered to teach diagnostically, monitor student progress, and customize instruction to differentiate and individualize. They will serve as preventative agents in the early identification of dyslexia and other reading challenges.

The widespread adoption of Structured Literacy can ensure that students are equally exposed to important foundational literacy skills in a sequential, systematic, and cumulative way. This alleviates the need for students to succumb to the wide variations and potential deficits in reading approaches from year to year and program to program. Rather, a smooth transition to more advanced concepts can occur with each new year.

Finally, schools could engage a positive and collective impact on the number of students who can read at grade level or above in the future.

Be sure to check out the rest of our blog series on Structured Literacy vs. Balanced Literacy:

The Institute for Multisensory Education has been training teachers for over 25 years. If you are looking to enhance your professional knowledge and share the gift of Structured Literacy in your classroom, contact info@imse.com to learn more about opportunities for training and support.

About The Author

Dr. Kirstina Ordetx is a Level 4 Master Instructor with The Institute for Multi-Sensory Education (IMSE). She holds a doctorate in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in pediatric neurology.  Dr. Ordetx is an educational specialist with over 25 years of clinical experience, research, and consultation. She is a certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist through the Center for Effective Reading Instruction, a Certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant, Executive Functions Coach, and a registered Licensed Mental Health Intern. Dr. Ordetx has published two books that compile her research and practice in Theory of Mind.  She has served on accreditation committees for the Florida Council of Independent Schools, is a university adjunct professor in developmental and child psychology, and presents at various national and international conferences. Dr. Ordetx is head of school for a private academy in Lakewood Ranch, Florida specializing in the multi-sensory education of students who have language and learning-based differences. She is the Executive Director of the Pinnacle Pediatric Therapy Group, a multi-disciplinary, pediatric therapy clinic.