Over 3 Grade Levels Gained in 8 Months Time

That is no exaggeration - I have a student who has made awesome reading growth this school year because she has finally received the right type of reading instruction!

Here's the story - I'm working with a 5th grade student who was new to my resource classroom this past year. I assessed her reading level at the beginning of the year, and she was reading at a kindergarten level - but she was a 5th grade student! It was easy to recognize that she was a bright girl, could comprehend grade level material, and that for some reason had made it to the 5th grade without being able to read or spell. I started using an Orton Gillingham based reading and spelling program with her. Her willingness to work with me combined with consistent research based instruction has brought this 5th grade student's reading level up to an instructional 4th grade level in 8 months time. Amazing!! I ask myself, what would have happened to her had she not been in my class? I don't want to think of this scenario because many teachers aren't knowledgeable about dyslexia or how to work with students who have dyslexia.

My 5th grade student still has a way to go, but her whole world has been affected by this growth. She has gone from a non-reader and non-writer to reading for enjoyment at home and free writing in her own personal journals. Her mother told me that she used to avoid reading like the plague and now her bed overflows with books and the family can hear her read to herself in her room. How exciting!