Students with Reading Difficulties
Diagnostic Testing and Instruction for Children with Reading Difficulties
Schools first provide students with reading difficulties with extra training in reading by the (remedial) teacher. If the difficulties persist, the next step involves intensive specific intervention for the student, often given by a reading specialist within the school. If the specialist observes signs of a reading disability, the student can be sent to a specialist (e.g., a psychologist) for further diagnostic testing and treatment outside of the school.29
Approximately 10 percent of primary education students in the Netherlands have difficulties with reading; about 4 percent of students are diagnosed with dyslexia, which may have serious consequences for their cognitive and socioemotional development.30 To better equip primary school teachers with training to guide these students, the National Center for Language Education (Expertisecentrum Nederlands) has published the Reading Problems and Dyslexia Protocol.31 Intended for remedial teachers, internal counselors, and speech therapists who work with students in Grades 1 to 8, this protocol contains guidelines for a structured schoolwide dyslexia policy wherein regular assessments facilitate early identification, prevention, and intervention of reading difficulties.