Why So Many Smart Kids Struggle to Read: Teaching Methods vs. "Underlying Differences" – A LinkedIn Exchange

Recently, I had a thoughtful discussion on LinkedIn with Brenda Nagberi, Founder & Lead Consultant at Bremon Educational Consult, Autism Advocate, and SENCo.

It mirrors conversations I've had with many educators and experts — productive until they block me or delete the thread.

The Key Exchange:

The Nail in the Heel: Why Educators Defend Failure Instead of Fixing It

 

Here is my reply to Allie and Emma Hartnell-Baker

I hear you, but you're still missing the point.

You're describing a kid limping because there's a nail embedded in his heel — and instead of pulling out the nail, you're listing a dozen other possible reasons: wrong shoes, poor nutrition, weak muscles, bad posture, lack of motivation, etc. Sure, those things could matter in some cases. But when 20% of kids have been leaving school as functional illiterates for decades, year after year, with the failure rate barely budging, it's time to stop the excuses and remove the damn nail.

Dysteachia, Not Dyslexia

 

I read the following Tweet by @SciAdapt and replied him.

Questions and comments are welcome

Adapt And Thrive @SciAdapt Apr 16

Bro. I'm a sped teacher and 1000% yes. I've expressed this concern with my admin, the psychs, anyone who will listen. The refrain is they should've been identified sooner. Or? I have handled 12 referrals in 4th grade alone this year.

The Dysteachia Boomerang: Jo-Anne Gross’s Words Come Full Circle

 

A Decade in Literacy Advocacy

In the stormy world of literacy debates I’ve been both a quiet observer and, at times, a thunderclap. From my tutoring sessions in Sabah, I’ve long championed phonics over fairy tales and called out the “dysteachia” that turns eager kindergarteners into reluctant readers.

 

Now, the term itself has boomeranged back into the spotlight, landing squarely at the feet of Jo-Anne Gross (@RplusDyslexia), the Canadian dyslexia advocate who helped shape this conversation.

Unmotivated and disengaged students – Continued

 

Here are extracts from another article I found on the internet that is from the Australian Government.

 

Instructional casualties – ‘Dysteachia’

Here is part of a comment I made in one of the posts on LinkedIn.

You need to know how to teach the basics. You also need to understand why many smart kids are not able to read in English but are able to read in other languages.

The following is part of the response by the author of the post.

But remember that we all teach in different places. What is true for some (like this) is not for others. (Marcela Falcone)

This was my response to her comment:

Teachers all over the world have been continuously saying that many kids are unable to read because of 'Dysteachia' (a word coined by teachers in the US.) Has anyone said what it is that is being taught wrong by teachers? Why is it that many kids still leave school as illiterates?