"A spokesperson for Education Minister Chris Carter said dyslexia was officially recognised only last year. Since then, several initiatives had been put in place as part of a literacy programme. Details of further plans specific to dyslexic students would be announced next week as part of Dyslexia Awareness Week, he said" The Christchurch Press - June 16 - full article click here Government challenged to front up with dyslexia-specific funding - click here for full media release
The Foundation met with the Minister of Education, Hon. Chris Carter and representatives from the Ministry on 14 May. During this meeting, the Foundation put its case forward for creating a dyslexia work programme that will drive real change for the 70,000 New Zealand children affected by dyslexia-related learning disabilities. The programme stems from the commitment made by the Minister in November 2007 to fund a Ministry of Education work programme related to dyslexia. The work programme proposed and positively received at the May meeting includes three important elements: The Minister made a commitment to liaise with the Ministry and report back to us on items 1 and 3, and has since provided details to advance the second item in regard to teacher training. For details of Teacher Training progress click here
My job: Resource teacher - learning and behaviour click here
2. The publication of a set of Literacy Learning Progressions that show parents and teachers what literacy progress looks like at specific stages from entry to school through Year 10. This is available at click here.
3. Communication over the last few months to the MOE Literacy Professional Network about dyslexia and the approach being taken.
Dyslexia Foundation pleased with progress made by Ministry… To read full releases…click here. The Trustees are very pleased to advise that significant and meaningful progress has been made by the Ministry of Education regarding to the development of initiatives to support dyslexic students in the education system. This foundation has already led to a work program which includes the following initiatives:
What is now crucial is that these initiatives are supported and embraced by all. Schools will hopefully start to factor the Ministry’s direction into their planning for 2008 and from this we will see real change for our children. Parents should be encouraged and feel empowered to discuss their child’s learning needs with teachers. The next critical step is for Government to provide the necessary funding. We anticipate an announcement regarding this in December consistent with the commitment the Minister of Education made in April on TVNZ Close Up.
- June - Nov: Further meetings with DFNZ, the Ministry, stakeholders and others. - December 2007: Announcement of outcomes and initiatives, including funding allocations. - 2008: Implementation of education Initatives.
"From our meeting with the Minister I do have confidence that he is well intentioned. If, however, the Ministers objective (of recognising dyslexia) was to make the issue go away he got it very wrong. The announcement last week has fanned the fires and we have been inundated with email and calls of support. Membership has doubled and schools and teachers are the loudest voice wanting to see real change in the classroom." "To see the Ministry of Education stepping up to the challenge is enormously satisfying. They have embraced Dyslexia as a significant learning difference rather than a disability and by doing so they have turned a problem into an opportunity. Their work to date has set a strong foundation that schools and parents can use as a powerful springboard. Their approach empowers schools to include dyslexic students in the educational transformation that is underway and critical if New Zealand is to adapt to the knowledge age and equip our children with the skills necessary to be successful in the 21st Century. By embracing the opportunities of meeting dyslexic students learning needs, a catalyst that encourages teachers to evolve their approach to teaching and learning is made available. When schools and teachers make the simple changes that are necessary all students will benefit."
  Media Releases:- 17 October, 2007 - Australian moves to label dyslexia a disability miss’s point. Click Here - 10 October, 2007 - DFNZ pleased with progress made by Ministry of Education. Click Here - 10 October, 2007 - MOE starts dyslexia work programme. Click Here - 29 April, 2007 - Dyslexia Foundation and Education Ministry plan next steps. Click Here - 19 April, 2007 - Dyslexia Foundation celebrating Ministry of Education recognition of dyslexia. Click Here - 19 April, 2007 - Ministry improves understanding of dyslexia. Click Here Recent Related Media:- 21 January, 2008 - Education Weekly- Dyslexia resource helps parents. Click Here - 31 December, 2007 - Parent & School Today - Recognition pleases Dyslexia Foundation. Click Here - 01 December, 2007 - The Press - Age of dys-order. Click Here - 01 December, 2007 - Nelson Mail - Seeing the big picture. Click Here - 13 October, 2007 - The Press - Funds urged for dyslexic resources. Click Here |
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Schools have received and have access to hard copies of this.
All teachers have received copies of this.
