The Dyslexia Duo: Bridging Research and Practice in Dyslexia -  Intensive Intervention, Spelling, and Data-Based Individualization (with Dr. Brennan Chandler)

 

Melissa Dean and Aimee Rodenroth of the Dyslexia Duo interview Dr. Brennan Chandler, assistant professor of dyslexia at Georgia State University, about his path from classroom teaching to researching intensive reading interventions and training educators. Dr. Chandler emphasizes bridging research and classroom practice through explicit instruction in language structure (phonology, orthography, morphology, syntax), stronger attention to writing and spelling, and empowering teachers to use data for decision-making. He highlights misconceptions that older struggling readers only need more K–2 phonics and that accommodations alone replace remediation, arguing adolescents need qualitatively different instruction including flexible vowel “flexing,” morphology, and connected “stretch” text practice. He explains diagnostic versus progress-monitoring data, outlines data-based individualization to intensify validated interventions, shares research showing spelling supports durable learning, and describes developing an open-source grades 1–3 spelling intervention, Spell Squad.

 

00:36 Introducing Dr Chandler

01:41 From Classroom to Research

04:19 Why Spelling Matters

04:57 Rethinking Teacher Training

08:45 Bridging Research and Practice

12:21 Misconceptions About Dyslexia

15:58 Older Students Need Different

19:05 Flexing Vowels Strategy

22:00 Morphology and Stretch Text

28:13 Spelling Research Deep Dive

33:02 Spelling Beats Reading Practice

36:44 Spelling Builds Memory

37:24 Handwriting and Gamified Practice

40:29 DBI for Non Responders

46:54 What Data to Collect

50:26 Adolescent Assessment Focus

53:20 Fixing Teacher Prep

59:53 Key Takeaways for All

01:02:25 Spell Squad Preview

01:04:57 Lightning Round and Farewell