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Senate testimony 19 ses

Testimony to Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee:

Understanding Dyslexia:

The Intersection of Scientific Research & Education

Sally Shaywitz, M.D.

Dyslexia: explanation and potential solution to the educational crisis.

Good morning Senator Cassidy, Senator Mikulski, and other committee

members. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you about the

science of dyslexia and share with you the tremendous scientific progress

that has been made in dyslexia and its important implications for education.

The Problem:

Our nation is in the midst of a national nightmare where substantial

numbers of children are not learning to read, especially boys and girls from

disadvantaged families.

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In aligning education with science certain principles emerge:

1. Given its high prevalence + scientific validity + harsh impact dyslexia

must be given prominence in reauthorization of IDEA.

2. Schools must screen and identify dyslexic students early.

3. The dyslexic student should know his diagnosis (dyslexia) and that he is

smart.

Moving forward - Implementation – requires a model incorporating

21st century scientific knowledge about dyslexia; for example

School climate – everyone at school on board, use the word dyslexia.

Small classes

Evidence-based methods

Knowledgeable, flexible, caring teachers

Consistency in instruction across all classes

A community to join – know they are not alone

Specif

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children

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