Teaching, Reading and Learning: TRL Podcast- Episode 20 Interview w/Audie Alumbaugh

[@kellyleigh1339]

You are the kind of superhero that I want to read about. Exactly what you have described is going on in Texas too. I feel as though I’m the only parent who realizes there is a huge issue in how schools are teaching reading. I had to take LETRS training myself to ensure my son was provided with appropriate reading instruction. However, when he is at school he is being taught guessing and other disproven philosophy based strategies. So even with our efforts he is still receiving contradictory instruction at school. I’m seeing spelling challenges and am instructing him in a way that allows him to orthographically map his spelling words, but am being met with resistance. It’s absolutely infuriating. It is heartbreaking. My son is struggling with math and getting him any services has been like pulling teeth. I had to hire an advocate to even get a comprehensive evaluation, as I requested one and the report didn’t even include index scores. When I asked for them I was told they weren’t done because they wanted to see how he did for a year with in person instruction as he was learning virtually during first grade. This was when he was getting better instruction because he had me to teach him using evidence based practices. This was just an excuse because I was only told they didn’t do a comprehensive evaluation when I requested index scores. I asked for them because I was told he didn’t have a disability and wanted to see what data showed this. Guess what there was no data showing this, but there was data showing there was likely a learning disorder. They refused all services I requested, so I hired an advocate and now here we are at the end of the year still without the help he truly need because of how long this has been drawn out by the district. I agree with everything you have said. It is so hard dealing with the school and they know it.