Other Programs

During my sabbatical, I learned about some programs that I was not able to investigate deeply. I name them here and provide brief descriptions to provide ideas for future investigation.

SIPPS and Wilson Reading

SIPPS and Wilson Reading System are two other programs ((that I learned about)) that are being used in a number of public schools and districts to support high school students mastering word recognition skills.

Orton Gillingham

I found aspects of the 30-hour Orton Gillingham training helpful, but I do not recommend sending a group of high school reading teachers to this specific training given other possible options. I can see a district reading coach attending the training with a few teachers; the group could then collaboratively find ways to build elements of the Orton Gillingham program into a cohesive model for high school students. Please see the Orton Gilingham tab in this section for MISSING WORDS HERE? more the start of some ideas I have developed to use aspects of the Orton Gillingham at a high school level.

Reading Recovery

In terms of one-on-one programs, I believe Reading Recovery, a program used in public and private elementary schools, is the most promising. The approach encompasses much more than decoding. I was unable to find any high school programs using the approach. The training is quite intensive (one year with extensive coaching). Academics brought up the program to me in a variety of settings, though not in relation to necessarily using it for high school students. I used elements of the Reading Recovery approach during my one-on-one practicums with both elementary and high school students when I obtained my reading certificate. I think the approach is quite promising for high school students and would be worth exploring if schools have outside funding to innovate around working with students with reading difficulty.

Private Schools and Programs Primarily Used in the Private Sector

Unfortunately, I was not able to gain access to a private school that EXCLUSIVELY? serves ((all )) students with dyslexia. Seeing how private schools support secondary students would be quite helpful, and I recommend that public school educators consider visiting private schools that EXCLUSIVELY serve populations of (( exclusively)) students with dyslexia to see what they are doing that is working for students with serious reading difficulty.

I also explored LiPS, a program sponsored by Linda Mood Bell. The program is quite expensive and intensive to implement. It SEEMS TO BE used primarily in private settings. (( from what I discovered.)) I know intensive work with LiPS has been life-changing for students. I know parents spend $20,000 per child or more for private interventions for their children with reading difficulty. Unfortunately, I was not able to find out more information about this program but hope to learn more in the future. For students who not responding the the intensive reading interventions we have in place, it is important to continue to search for solutions to meet their needs.