Dyslexia Ireland is calling for mandatory, funded training for teachers after publishing surveys highlighting concerns about support for dyslexic pupils.
The charity’s findings were released at the start of Dyslexia Awareness Month.
In its parents’ survey, 94% of respondents supported mandatory dyslexia training for every teacher. The same proposal was supported by 82% of respondents to its teachers’ survey.
Some 60% of teachers surveyed said they did not know the best reading or spelling programme to use to support dyslexic children.
The findings came from separate surveys involving 244 teachers, 629 parents and 50 students during August and September.
The charity cautioned that the student sample was small and should be read as indicative of experiences rather than statistically representative.
Chief executive Rosie Bissett said teachers needed access to training and clear guidance on evidence-informed approaches.
Dyslexia Ireland is seeking training during initial teacher education and throughout teachers’ careers, alongside consistent guidance for schools on literacy interventions.
Further information is available at dyslexia.ie.
