GL Assessment responds to Sir Jim Rose's Review into Dyslexia25 June 2009 GL Assessment welcomes Sir Jim Rose's review into dyslexia and the Government's commitment to £10 million to fund specialist teaching and support for children with dyslexia and literacy difficulties. GL Assessment supports Sir Jim Rose's recognition that the one
trusted approach to dyslexia (the commonest and best defined learning
disability) is a specialist multi-sensory, structured programme
of handwriting, spelling and reading delivered individually or in
a small group by a dyslexia-qualified specialist teacher. Interestingly, the data shown by our young offenders sample demonstrated higher proportions of cases within each level of dyslexic tendencies. 17% showed 'mild signs of dyslexia' , 13% showed signs of being 'moderately dyslexic' and 4% were 'severely dyslexic' . This supports the view that dyslexics may be over-represented in young offender institutions and adult prisons, and highlights the importance of identification and remediation early on." Andrew adds, "Our research also showed that proportionately more boys than girls are highlighted with dyslexic tendencies, with 8% of males and 5% of females in the moderate / severe category and 8% of males and 4% of females in the mild category." GL Assessment has developed and published a suite of materials to aid the screening, diagnosis and support of children with dyslexia. Together, they provide comprehensive support across the three levels of identification and assessment identified by Sir Jim: the class teacher; the SENCO; and the specialist / Educational Psychologist. To service the more specialised demand for precise, modern, accurate and reliable assessment tools, GL Assessment has produced, with leading dyslexia expert Martin Turner, a Portfolio of nine literacy-related assessment procedures. In combination with commonly available tests of general ability, the Dyslexia Portfolio enables teachers to produce a reasonably quick appraisal of a pupil's literacy abilities and difficulties which can inform the design and implementation of an individual learning programme. As Martin Turner explains, "The Dyslexia Portfolio is ideally suited to the 4,000 teachers who will be trained to be dyslexia qualified specialist teachers. Typically, a postgraduate, validated and accredited qualification for experienced teachers balances theoretical and practical knowledge in a way that many teachers find both novel and satisfying. The training (part time over two years) includes a considerable module on psychometric assessment, something easily omitted from the BEd and PG Cert Ed courses, if the trainee is not especially interested." GL Assessment's other resources for dyslexia include: The York Assessment of Reading for Comprehension (YARC), a new suite of diagnostic reading assessments that enable teachers to assess their pupils reading skills from an early age through to the end of primary. The suite includes an Early Reading element that assesses phonological awareness, alphabetic and word reading skills in 4 - 7 year olds; The British Picture Vocabulary Scale (BPVS), an ideal early screening assessment that can be used from age 3 to check on children's vocabulary and therefore specifically addresses Sir Jim's concerns about impoverished vocabulary and language delay. A brand new edition will be published in November 2009; and The Dyslexia Screener, a computer-based screening tool that identifies dyslexic tendencies in pupils. The accompanying Dyslexia Guidance handbook recommends subsequent intervention strategies to help them achieve their potential. Andrew Thraves concludes: "Our intention is to support the teacher in their observation and assessment of children they feel may be at risk of literacy difficulties. With the new Early Years Foundation Stage Profile and Assessing Pupil Progress, the focus on teacher observation backed up by rigorous and objective assessments developed for purpose should mean that no child is overlooked." ends Notes
Danielle Morgan, PR & Events Manager, GL Assessment
Andrew Thraves, Publishing Director, GL Assessment Sue Thompson, Publisher of Dyslexia resources, GL Assessment About GL Assessment GL Assessment is the UK's leading independent provider of tests and assessment services for education. It publishes across the 4 -19 age range, with the majority of its assessments designed for 5-14 year-olds. GL Assessment has an extensive portfolio of print-based tests for education which assess children's progress in literacy, ability and numeracy and identify a broad spectrum of special educational needs. It offers tests and programmes that support the development of emotional literacy and thinking skills. GL Assessment also provides assessments for use in the Health and Psychology service by clinical psychologists, speech and language therapists and paediatricians.
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