Notes on Assessing, Preventing, and Overcoming Reading Difficulties

Introduction

• Presented by David Kilpatrick.
• Sponsored by the Exceptional Student Services Unit.
• Created in collaboration with Jill Marshall and Veronica Fiedler.
• Vision: All students in Colorado will become educated and productive citizens.
• Mission: Ensure student preparedness for societal, workforce, and life success.

Professional Learning Series Overview

• 13 modules available for comprehensive learning.
• Designed for professional development in assessing, preventing, and overcoming reading difficulties.

Module 10: Effective Approaches for Preventing Reading Difficulties

• Session 1: Evidence for Prevention

  • Focus on preventing reading difficulties before they emerge.
  • Key instructional elements: explicit letter-sound instruction and phonological awareness.
  • 1980s-1990s research shows 50% reduction in struggling readers with explicit instruction.
  • National Reading Panel (2000) reviewed these studies.
  • Explicit instruction leads to standard score improvements.
  • Long-term benefits for at-risk children noted.

• Session 2: Instructional Practices

  • Effective practices include explicit and systematic instruction.
  • Importance of oral phonemic awareness.
  • Differences between phonics and phonemic awareness.
  • Need for Tier 1 and possibly Tier 2 interventions.
  • Use of embedded picture mnemonics and distributed practice for better outcomes.

Key Concepts

• Explicit Instruction: Direct teaching of letter sounds and phonemes.
• Systematic Approach: Planned and structured curriculum.
• Phonemic Awareness: Must be oral and automatic for effective word anchoring.
• Distributed Practice: Reinforce learning throughout the day.
• Embedded Picture Mnemonics: Visual aids for easier letter-sound association.

Research Insights

• Phonological awareness is foundational for reading.
• At-risk students benefit more from early interventions.
• Debate on teaching letter names versus sounds remains unresolved.

Practical Questions

• Does your school practice phonological awareness training in K-1?
• Which instructional practices from the session are in use, and which could be added?

Next Steps

• Upcoming Module 11 to focus on effective intervention strategies.