Dyslexia Foundation and Ministry plan next steps

DFNZ media release 29 April 2007

Dyslexia Foundation and Education Ministry plan next steps

Talks have begun between the Dyslexia Foundation of New Zealand and the Ministry of Education on ways to support dyslexic students.

The Ministry announced last week it recognised some students experienced persistent difficulties learning to read and write, including those identified as dyslexic.

The Ministry said it was committed to targeting support to students with serious reading and writing problems.

The Dyslexia Foundation has invited its members and other dyslexia stakeholders to communicate their ideas on the best way forward, before a meeting with Ministry Deputy Secretary, Schooling Anne Jackson, and her team during May.

Dyslexia Foundation Trustee chair, Guy Pope-Mayell, said the Foundation and the Ministry saw June to November this year as a key period to work with other stakeholders on strategy, definition, scope and potential initiatives, with a specific focus on teacher training.

The aim was that an announcement on outcomes from this collaboration would be made this December.

Mr Pope-Mayell said an agreed Professional Development Plan could be rolled out next year which included a five year strategy pinpointing specific classroom initiatives.
New Zealand had the opportunity to utilise classroom international best practice to remove disadvantages dyslexic children presently experienced.

“The implications of these initiatives for the over 70,000 children who struggle daily with dyslexia is life changing, for them, their future education, and for their families,” Mr Pope-Mayell said.

ENDS

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