Research
The scientific diversity of researchers doing work related to dyslexia and learning to read and write and, relevant information is being generated from a wide spectrum of research areas. Over the past 20 years researchers have focused on not only the science of the reading brain, but what to teach, how to teach, and how to prepare professionals for teaching reading and writing to all students, but most especially those who struggle.
Research reports on dyslexia are now being published from fields such as linguistics, education, genetics, neuroanatomy, and visual and auditory processing. Thus, we are quickly learning more about phonological processing in dyslexics; the etiology including genetic basis of differences in dyslexics in multiple neural systems involved in information processing. An extensive list of IDA Fact sheets can be found on the International Dyslexia Association website at https://dyslexiaida.org/fact-sheets/
Current Slingerland research projects are in process and results will be forthcoming. Still a number of older research projects provide a validation for the approach and its results with students. Click here to get the list of those older research projects.
The NICHD Findings of Reading: What Works?
- Conducted by the National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).
- More than 35,000 students have been studied over 33 years at 41 sites.
- Students were followed longitudinally.
- The study included both those who were successful and those who were unsuccessful.
- Early identification methods and teacher training methods were studied
National Reading Panel
- Alphabetics - Phonemic Awareness and Phonics
- Fluency Comprehension - vocabulary instruction and text comprehension
- Teacher Education and Reading Instruction
- Computer Technology
The Slingerland® Approach meets the National Reading Panel identified criteria for quality instruction:
- alphabetic-phonetic begins with single sound/symbol relationship
- teaches the intellect including vocabulary and text comprehension
- stresses over-teaching and over-learning
- builds intersensory associations
- develops reading fluency success-oriented
- uses any curriculum materials including computer technology
- provides teacher education
Accreditation
The International Dyslexia Association created the Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading in 2010. This document serves as our guide in accrediting programs that prepare teachers of reading and/or programs that specialize in preparing teachers to work with students who have reading difficulties and disabilities. One of IDA’s long term goals is to inform the public regarding the knowledge base required for skilled reading instruction. Another is to define the specific teaching capabilities that should characterize any person responsible for teaching students with dyslexia and related reading difficulties, and to identify programs that meet the standards.
The Slingerland® Approach has been accredited by the IDA as meeting the following standards:
- Foundation concepts about oral and written learning
- Knowledge of dyslexia and other learning disorders
- Interpretation of assessments for planning instruction
- Structured language teaching: vocabulary
- Structured language teaching: phonics and word recognition
- Structured language teaching: text comprehension
- Structured language teaching: fluent, automatic reading of text
- Structured language teaching: handwriting, spelling and written expression
- Following ethical standards for the profession
Click to read the Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading
International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council (IMSLEC)The Mission of IMSLEC is to accredit quality training courses for the professional preparation of multisensory structured language education specialists. The Slingerland® Institute for Literacy received its first Accreditation from IMSLEC in 2001. The Institute is accredited to certify individuals at the Teaching Level and at the Instructor of Teachers Level.
With these two accreditations consumers can be assured that Slingerland training meets high professional standards in the preparation of Multisensory Structured Language specialists - clinicians and teachers.
