§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress his Department is making in ensuring that schools recognise dyslexia and respond with appropriate teaching methods. [95311]
§ Jacqui SmithUnder the Education Act 1966, schools and local education authorities (LEAs) have a duty to identify and make suitable provision for all children with 69W special educational needs, including children with dyslexia. The Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs gives guidance to schools and LEAs on how to meet this duty. Paragraphs 3.60 to 3.63 provide guidance on specific learning difficulties and have particular reference to dyslexia.
To assist schools in recognising dyslexia we have produced simple guidance which provides hints to primary school teachers to help them identify children who may be dyslexic. In addition the Department has recently provided a grant to help the British Dyslexia Association produce a schools resource pack entitled "Achieving dyslexia friendly schools".
A recent seminar bringing together the main government departments and agencies, and external partners for an exchange of views on the key educational issues in the areas of dyslexia, was well received. Ways in which individual expertise and resources can be pooled were identified, and a consensus reached over a shared agenda for tackling issues in the areas of early identification, teacher training, and the use of ICT. An informal working group has been set up to take matters forward.
Changes to Initial Teacher Training introduced in September 1998 require all trainees to demonstrate that they are able to identify pupils who have special educational needs including specific learning difficulties and know where to get help in order to give positive and targeted support.