The identification of poor readers as ?learning disabled? can be the first of many steps toward consigning students to a lifetime of reading failure. The very label that is meant to help children often becomes a burden that works against effective learning throughout their schooling.In this book, the authors identify the dangers of labeling childre

The identification of poor readers as "learning disabled" can be the first of many steps toward consigning students to a lifetime of reading failure. The very label that is meant to help children often becomes a burden that works against effective learning throughout their schooling. In this book, the authors identify the dangers of labeling children as reading or learning disabled, contending that a "reading disability" is not a unitary phenomenon. In order to diagnose and help children, educators and parents need to understand the multiple sources of reading difficulty before they can choose appropriate means to correct it. Drawing on recent research in cognitive psychology, the authors present a new theoretical model of reading disability that integrates a wide variety of findings across age and grade spans. Laid out in terms that are readily comprehensible to parents and practitioners, the model outlines the phases that are characteristic of the path to proficient reading, then describes four ways in which disabled readers may stray from this path. The key to the authors' work lies in the fact that youngsters who stray from the path of typical reading acquisition often are not distinguishable from other children who are classified as "poor readers" rather than as "learning disabled." This model is an especially useful one for practitioners because it both provides a broader view of reading disability than have many previous models and shows how reading disability relates to typical reading acquisition. Using illustrative case studies, the authors describe the four patterns of reading disability, explain how to properly assess them, and suggest ways to conquer them.

This one-of-a-kind text explains why RTI is today's best approach for preventing reading difficulties-and how research on reading profiles can enhance the power of RTI. For practitioners, the book provides a complete, evidence-based blueprint for using RTI and reading profiles in tandem to plan effective core literacy instruction and help struggling readers in Grades K-6, whether they have disabilities or issues related to experience (e.g., ELLs, children from poverty backgrounds). For researchers and policymakers, the book describes ways to help ensure higher reading achievement for every student, including improvements in core reading instruction, use of RTI practices and the Common Core State Standards, and teacher preparation. READERS WILL understand why RTI is the best approach for preventing reading difficulties-and why RTI should be used in identification of learning disabilities learn how diverse reading problems can be understood in relation to poor reader profiles discover how to make sound, research-based decisions about core reading curricula, interventions, and RTI practices such as universal screening explore the most effective interventions for key components of reading and language learn to identify and address word recognition difficulties, comprehension difficulties, and "mixed" reading problems involving both decoding and comprehension clarify which skills and knowledge every teacher of reading should have examine ways to better prepare educators to teach at-risk readers PRACTICAL MATERIALS: The case studies and practical examples cover a broad range of reading problems and help make the latest research findings applicable to everyday practice.