Chris Singleton sent this info to BDA members
and I thought u might like it too.
>The NRDC review entitled: 'Developmental Dyslexia in Adults: A research
review' by Michael Rice and Greg Brooks is now available in electronic
form. (NRDC = National Research and Development Centre for Adult Literacy
and Numeracy. It was established as part of Skills for Life, the national
strategy for improving adult literacy and numeracy skills.)
http://www.nrdc.org.uk/uploads/documents/doc_2867.pdf
It is big report (178 A4 pages) that reviews research (not practice or
policy) on developmental dyslexia as it might apply to adults participating
in basic literacy and numeracy courses. The conclusions are momentous and
could have far-reaching implications for policy and practice. The following
summary is taken from the Foreword:
"We conclude that there is no evidence from research to support a policy of
differentiating dyslexic from non-dyslexic students in adult literacy,
numeracy and ESOL. We offer five main reasons for our conclusion. First,
both dyslexic and non-dyslexic students need to acquire the same knowledge
and skills in literacy and numeracy. Second, structured and explicit
tuition is appropriate for both groups. Third, individual differences
between students occur along many dimensions, while all classification
schemes entail overlapping categories. Fourth, diagnostic protocols for
dyslexia in adults cannot be used with any confidence either to ascertain
the causes (as opposed to the symptoms) of literacy or numeracy
difficulties or to predict the outcomes of interventions. Fifth, the
construct of developmental dyslexia is insufficient for a systematic and
thorough appraisal of learners' difficulties in adult education. With
respect to adult literacy, we also conclude that successful teaching is
informed by the tutor's understanding of 'normal' language and literacy
acquisition." (p. 9)
However, the Preface to the report, by the director of NRDC, also declares:
"At NRDC we would very much like to work with partner organisations in the
field of dyslexia and related areas to discuss the findings of this review
and to look at priorities for further
research and development so that we can better match the needs and
difficulties learners have with teaching strategies which will enable them
to achieve." (p. 8).<
The file is 885kb, partly because it has pictures of the brain
in the appendices, and takes a while to download.
Jean
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Jean Hutchins, SSS list-oner, SSS web edditer
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SSS web: www.spellingsociety.org
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