In 1968, a group of neurologists gathered in Dallas to discuss a condition affecting children’s ability to read. Coined “word-blindness” nearly a century prior, the scientists and educators assembled at the World Federation of Neurology’s Research Group on Developmental Dyslexia and World Illiteracy reached a consensus definition of dyslexia, thereby cementing a crucial axiom of pedagogy: to affect change in the classroom, a condition must first be properly understood.
Over fifty years later, the ultimate innovation in dyslexia education has arrived: Reading by Design®. Reading by Design (RbD) is a comprehensive professional learning system from Region 4 Education Service Center that takes a unique approach to dyslexia education. Designed to meet the unique needs of learners with dyslexia, Reading by Design gives dyslexia professionals the tools and support they need to help students thrive.
The RbD program provides a distinct advantage for students and educators. Students get access to the best and most up-to-date practices for developing literacy. Reading by Design uses a systematic, multisensory approach aligned with research-based practices that is tailored to meet the diverse needs of students with dyslexia and other code-based reading difficulties. Each of RbD’s five volumes consists of meticulously crafted lessons that address grades K–12, ensuring a comprehensive approach to literacy development from a student’s first day of school until their graduation.
For educators, Reading by Design® offers teaching solutions that are easy, affordable, and flexible with concise training pathways accredited by the International Dyslexia Association.
“Reading by Design is everything we were looking for,” says Laura Dowdy-Northcutt, Director of Responsive Services in Humble ISD. As the administrator in charge of serving her district’s 3600+ students with dyslexia, she’s witnessed the effectiveness of Reading by Design firsthand. After a one-year pilot program in which her own son was one of the participants, Dowdy-Northcutt implemented RbD as the district’s evidence-based dyslexia program.
After implementation, Dowdy-Northcutt and her team saw the difference Reading by Design made with their kids and educators almost immediately.
“What I noticed right away was the effectiveness of the routines and repetition of routines,” she recalls. “There’s been a lot of research regarding the comorbidity of ADHD and repetition of previously learned concepts addresses that. Reading by Design has become an essential part of our dyslexia education.”
Reading by Design Works for Both Students and Educators
“Reading by Design starts at the very beginning,” Jan Cook, Dyslexia Coordinator for Region 4 Education Service Center which produced Reading by Design. Cook explains how the Reading by Design curriculum scales up as students progress through each volume, lighting up the brain pathways students need to be proficient readers. “We essentially ‘retrain their brain’ and build their literacy every step of the way.”
Says Dowdy-Northcutt, “That’s what I love about [Reading by Design]: it’s constantly spiraling and repeating previously learned concepts. That’s such an essential part of the program for mastery. You’re always building on what you have been taught before.”
“Dyslexia grew really fast and it’s been a challenge to kind of keep up as educators,” says Dowdy-Northcutt. “Thank goodness Reading by Design is a five-day training program making it easy to get your teachers up to speed and able to confront the challenges dyslexia presents.”
RbD takes a holistic approach to dyslexia education by design. It’s another attractive quality for educators.
“Dyslexia Interventionists recognize that one size doesn’t fit all for literacy intervention,” says Cook. “That’s why a variety of supplemental options are offered to accommodate different needs and preferences.”
From introductory sessions to advanced workshops, educators can choose the path that best suits their professional development goals:
- Dyslexia Intervention Fundamentals with Reading by Design: The cornerstone five-day program for Reading by Design training.
- Reading by Design Bridge Training: A two-day course perfect for interventionists certified in other programs who are interested in learning the Reading by Design program.
- Reading by Design – Implementation Series: Internalization and Rehearsal: A series for those who have completed the five-day training and are looking for additional support before implementing the Reading by Design lesson cycle.
- Reading by Design – Delving Deeper Workshop Series: Supplemental training for educators who want more experience in specific areas. Workshops such as Polishing Our Practice, Instructional Decision Making, Advanced Decoding, Syllable Division, and Adapting Reading by Design let teachers build a practice that best suits themselves and their students.
Educators looking to further their career as Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionists or Specialists can also apply for one- and two-year certification programs offered by Region 4.
Reading By Design Offers Support for Educators
With any Reading by Design course, support for participants goes beyond completion. The Region 4 dedicated team is always ready to help with any questions or concerns.
“This team is highly trained, quality people, and they’re all just amazing educators,” says Cook. “And together as a team, we are very responsive to teachers. When somebody has a question and they email, a real person is going to answer.”
The Reading by Design web application offers educators additional support through automation and data analysis that educators like Dowdy-Northcutt have found invaluable.
“We have to look at efficiency,” she says. “RbD App Automation allows our busy Providers of Dyslexia Instruction (PDI) to worry less about efficiency and devote more time to student intervention.”
The Reading By Design app also provides parents with crucial reports that help assess a student’s progress. These progress reports allow parents to see the scope and sequence as their child advances through the program.
“This ongoing communication allows them to see where their student is, how they’re progressing, any challenges they may be having, or suggestions for support outside of school. It’s a great way to have all that data in one warehouse.”
Region 4 created Reading By Design because educators specializing in dyslexia support require specialized tools to address their students’ needs effectively. In turn, these students benefit from the unique, research-based approach to reading tailored specifically for them that the program provides.
Enrolling in Reading by Design marks a critical step toward unlocking the potential of readers who need a tailored approach to learning. The District Advancement Champions in Region 4 stand ready to put educators and the students they serve on a path to success. If you aren’t using the Reading by Design program, visit the Reading by Design Professional Learning website to discover how this resource will transform the way you support learners with dyslexia.