Online opinion

Readers respond to articles on the TESS website
24th June 2011, 1:00am

Dyslexia findings prompt literacy teaching fears (17 June)

“The failure of teachers as they qualify is not having a good understanding of the factors which lead to children themselves having a difficulty,” (Graham Donaldson) said. Is that not a failure of course construction, delivery and assessment?

cochrane 1964

I am aware of a young teacher in my school who is dyslexic. Her spelling is awful but she seems to think that because she has a disability she is above correction. There are spelling mistakes on reports and in comments on children’s work. She does not seem to use the extensive resources available to her to check spelling. I have heard the pupils comment on it and it has an effect on her ability to control the class. At a time when there is huge competition for jobs, it seems strange to me that her lack of skills in this area have not hindered her getting a job. I have heard that if you “tick the disability box” on an application, you are guaranteed an interview. I am not sure this is true but it might help explain the disclosure of a disability, regardless of how small it is.

charlyfarly.