Students with Reading Difficulties
Diagnostic Testing
Children with difficulties in reading and writing are initially supported by the classroom teacher. In the Early Years cycle (ages 5 to 7), class teachers who are concerned about a learner’s limited literacy development might seek the support of the complementary teacher or literacy support teacher to administer collaboratively a checklist that facilitates identification of the learner’s strengths and weaknesses.13 Learners who are lagging behind their peers receive support from the complementary teacher. In instances of continued insufficient progress, learners in Grades 4 to 6 are referred to the Specific Learning Difficulties Service for an in depth assessment for dyslexia. Learners who are encountering behavioral problems or demonstrating issues of greater concern are referred to an educational psychologist for further testing.
Instruction for Children with Reading Difficulties
Support for learners with reading difficulties tends to vary considerably. The class teacher is expected to identify learners’ individual reading levels and offer reading materials at the appropriate level. If the achievement gap among students is not extensive, the complementary teacher might offer support for struggling learners within the classroom. However, the complementary teacher might choose to offer students with considerable difficulties an individualized intervention program for two hours per week. Learners with dyslexia participate in a structured and individual multisensory teaching program. Though this program is temporary, it enables the learner to consolidate and extend basic learning skills that continue to be overseen by the complementary teacher.
In addition to school-based support, learners with reading difficulties can attend state funded programs for literacy development such as Klabb Naħla and Nwar after school. While Klabb Naħla seeks to support young learners who have emergent literacy difficulties, Nwar is a family program for learners who have not acquired basic literacy skills by the end of Grade 3.