St. Elizabeth Catholic School is proud to offer a specialized resource that is not commonly found in all schools, a Reading Specialist. Our campus also uses the Take Flight curriculum from Scottish Rite

Our Reading Specialist plays a crucial role in providing specialized multisensory instruction to students identified with dyslexia by helping them develop essential phonics skills and a strong understanding of the structure of language. Additionally, the Reading Specialist monitors student progress in core subject areas and implements Student Achievement Plans to empower these students to function successfully in society.

Specialized Multisensory Instruction:

• Phonics Instruction: The Reading Specialist begins by focusing on phonics, which involves teaching the relationship between sounds and letters. For dyslexic students, who often struggle with phonemic awareness, this is a critical foundation. Instruction may include activities such as phoneme blending, segmenting, and manipulation.

• Multisensory Techniques: Multisensory instruction engages multiple senses simultaneously, which is especially effective for dyslexic students. This may involve tactile activities like tracing letters, using sandpaper letters, or other hands-on materials to reinforce letter-sound associations.

• Structured Language Learning: Dyslexic students benefit from a structured and systematic approach to language learning. The Reading Specialist provides clear and structured lessons that build upon each other, helping students understand the rules and patterns of language.

• Decoding and Encoding: Dyslexic students often struggle with both reading (decoding) and spelling (encoding). The Reading Specialist uses strategies to help students decode unfamiliar words and encode words correctly when writing.

Progress Monitoring:

• Assessment: The Reading Specialist regularly assesses students' reading and language skills to identify areas of improvement and track their progress. This might include standardized tests, informal assessments, and observations.

• Data Analysis: The Specialist analyzes assessment data to determine each student's strengths and weaknesses. This data-driven approach helps tailor instruction to address specific needs.

• Student Achievement Plan: Based on assessment results, the Reading Specialist creates a Student Achievement Plan (SAG) that outlines specific goals and strategies for each student.

Empowering Students for Success:

• Self-Advocacy Skills: The Reading Specialist may also work on building students' self-awareness and self-advocacy skills. Teaching them to understand their learning differences and advocate for their needs is essential for long-term success.

• Building Confidence: Success in reading and language skills helps boost students' confidence, which has a positive impact on their overall academic performance and self-esteem.

• Transition Planning: As students progress, the Reading Specialist may assist in transition planning, helping them smoothly transition to higher grade levels and continue to receive appropriate support.

In summary, our Reading Specialist provides specialized, multisensory instruction that targets phonics and the structure of language for students with dyslexia. By monitoring student progress, using data to inform instruction, and implementing Student Achievement Plans, we empower these students to develop the competencies and skills needed to function successfully in society. This comprehensive approach not only improves academic outcomes but also enhances students' self-esteem and ability to advocate for themselves as they navigate their educational journey and beyond.