Let’s talk about dyslexia. Dyslexia is a specific learning disability characterized by having difficulties relating to language, particularly reading. It runs in families and is estimated that around 20% of the population. Payne Education Center, located in Oklahoma City, trains teachers to prevent reading difficulties in children and to remediate dyslexia while serving as a resource and a referral center for teachers and parents. In recent years, the state of Oklahoma has updated laws and policies around teaching children with dyslexia. You can learn more about them and the work that they do on Facebook or their website: www.payneeducationcenter.org. For this episode I interviewed Heather Johnson, the Executive Director of Oklahoma’s Payne Education Center.

Reflection Questions:

1. What practical steps can you take to meet the needs of your students who are demonstrating reading difficulties?
2. How does your school/district plan to prepare your staff for meeting the needs of students with dyslexia?
3. What resources do you have available that support your understanding of reading difficulties?