Call to Action

The Literacy Next has some great tips HERE for how to help your school with the transition to a Structured Literacy Approach.
Find out who your elected representatives are and schedule a coffee date with them to talk Structured Literacy! Look up your state representatives and senators HERE!
Attend School Board meetings. Sign up to speak and share your story.
Become involved on your school’s committees including the PTA, Principal’s Advisory Council and your school’s educational foundation.
Find out what curriculum your school uses and if it’s an evidence-based Structured Literacy approach. Most reading programs are NOT backed by Science (read more about that here, in Education Week). Structured Literacy is the most effective way to teach ALL children to read, but we need to help raise awareness for the Science of Reading and advocate for change.
Advocate for your school to provide teacher training and professional development opportunities such as Orton Gillingham training for your school’s teachers.

There are so many ways to help raise awareness through education and advocacy for Structured Literacy and the Science of Reading.
Here is a helpful Advocacy Tool Kit from the International Dyslexia Association: https://dyslexiaida.org/advocacy-toolkit/
Advocate with your state house of representatives
Find out if your state currently has a Dyslexia law with this helpful directory.
Get to know your elected officials and educate them on the Science of Reading and what other states are doing to make their schools better with strong Dyslexia laws that promote structured literacy for all children.
This primer from Wrightslaw “How Can I Get the School to Provide an Appropriate Reading Program” goes into great detail about the I.D.E.A. (Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act) and every child’s legal right to a F.A.P.E. (Free and Appropriate Public Education) and includes great advice and resources for making sure your school follows the intent of the law.