Steven P. Dykstra: 'In Defense of Truth: A reply to 57 Reading Voices on the Issue of Dyslexia'

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Debbie_Hepplewhite
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Steven P. Dykstra: 'In Defense of Truth: A reply to 57 Reading Voices on the Issue of Dyslexia'

Post by Debbie_Hepplewhite »

Thank goodness for Steve Dykstra! Steve's response to '57 Reading Voices' which is very important - and indicates how hard and relentless it is to continuously set the record straight in the Reading Wars. This issue also shows that the Reading Wars are far from over!


https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tGmnHW ... 7UnGx/view
In Defense of Truth: A reply to 57 Reading Voices on the Issue of Dyslexia

Steven P. Dykstra, PhD

Recently, a collection of professors and others wrote a litter to officials at the Public Broadcasting System, taking issue with reports on dyslexia that aired on PBS. The signers of the letter area list of some of the best-known and most influential reading voices of the past several decades. They are past presidents and officials of the International Literacy Association, members of The Reading Hall of Fame, and authors of books and curricula found in most schools and nearly all of the universities in North America. The link to the letter below is hosted by the Reading Recovery Council of North America, purveyor of the widely-marketed Reading Recovery intervention program, completing the triangle with the ILA and university professors that has defined reading instruction and policy in this country for the past 40 years. The common purpose of these partners is to undermine the work of parents and grass roots organisations working to promote the science of reading in opposition to the discredited philosophies, ineffective practices, and failed products the 57 signers prefer. The letter found at this link is also included in Appendix A.

https://readingrecovery.org/wp-content/ ... to-PBS.pdf

The letter makes two arguments: dyslexia is a vague and useless concept describing a condition which they imply may not be real, and there is no agreed treatment for dyslexia. They cite three sources in their argument: The American Psychiatric Association, Julian Elliot and Elena Grigorenko's book, The Dyslexia Debate (2014), and the International Literacy Association. It is important to note that many of the 57 signers of the letter are or have been major leaders of the ILA, so they are essentially citing themselves. While there are many scientific sources which solidly dispute the claims in the letter, this reply is focused on the two independent sources the letter cites, which I will address one at a time.
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Debbie_Hepplewhite
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Re: Steven P. Dykstra: 'In Defense of Truth: A reply to 57 Reading Voices on the Issue of Dyslexia'

Post by Debbie_Hepplewhite »

We are very appreciative that Dr Steven Dykstra is a member of the Advisory Group for the International Foundation for Effective Reading instruction:

http://iferi.org/dr-steven-dykstra/
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Debbie_Hepplewhite
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Re: Steven P. Dykstra: 'In Defense of Truth: A reply to 57 Reading Voices on the Issue of Dyslexia'

Post by Debbie_Hepplewhite »

I have cross-referenced this thread via the 'Around the World: News and Events' forum here:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1232
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