Addressing Dyslexia Toolkit

Published 01/01/2017.  Last updated 11/04/2023
sourceLearning resources schoolLanguages categoryInclusion Wellbeing and Equality

​​The new Addressing Dyslexia Toolkit (2017) is managed by Dyslexia Scotland and developed by the 'toolkit working group'.

It is designed to support Curriculum for Excellence, Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC), and provide information for teachers and local authorities.

It also provides guidance on the process of supporting, assessing and monitoring literacy difficulties, which may be dyslexia, and gives details of relevant approaches and strategies.

Explore this resource

How to use this self-evaluation approach to improve practice

Schools and local authorities can access this free resource and reflect and engage in a cycle of self-evaluation and improvement around dyslexia and inclusive practice.

The information and guidance on the toolkit, combined with practitioners’ reflective practice, will enable them to evaluate the impact of their support, knowledge and understanding of dyslexia and inclusive practice.

The 2014 review 'Making Sense: education for children and young people with dyslexia in Scotland' highlighted that: “Greater use of the [Addressing Dyslexia] Toolkit would help staff to meet more effectively the needs of children and young people with dyslexia”.

The various sections can support staff to:

  • reflect and evaluate their own knowledge and understanding of dyslexia
  • use the information to improve their practice and develop appropriate identification pathways and support approaches

The toolkit can be used by individual staff or by group of practitioners during training sessions, network meetings or collegiate groups. Within the toolkit there are a range of professional learning resources which will:

  • support practitioners to develop a deeper learning and understanding of dyslexia and inclusive practice
  • inform practitioners about ways in which they might engage in meaningful career-long professional learning for improving practice and improving outcomes for children and young people
  • encourage practitioners to be familiar with, and make appropriate use of, the 'Addressing dyslexia toolkit'
  • support teachers in achieving Professional Recognition for areas of enhanced accomplishment in their professional practice

Self-evaluation approach

Key evaluative questions for schools and practitioners include:

  • To what extent does our practice and support for dyslexia and additional support needs  reflect the Scottish educational context?
  • How do we know that all staff have an awareness of the identification pathway/process of dyslexia?
  • To what extent do we support and secure improved achievement and attainment for children and young people with dyslexia and with literacy difficulties?
  • How do we know that our staff are appropriately directed to the toolkit; are provided with relevant professional  learning opportunities and have taken steps to embed this into practice?
  • Do we offer our learners the opportunity to be actively involved in the development of their inclusive school community?
  • How do we know there is respectful and positive communication and engagement between children and young people, parents/carers, staff and partners for dyslexia and inclusion?

Download the toolkit and additional resources

Addressing Dyslexia Toolkit

PDF file: Addressing Dyslexia Toolkit flyer - March 2017 (1.8 MB)

Addressing Dyslexia Toolkit

Published 01/01/2017.  Last updated 11/04/2023
sourceLearning resources schoolLanguages categoryInclusion Wellbeing and Equality

​​The new Addressing Dyslexia Toolkit (2017) is managed by Dyslexia Scotland and developed by the 'toolkit working group'.

It is designed to support Curriculum for Excellence, Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC), and provide information for teachers and local authorities.

It also provides guidance on the process of supporting, assessing and monitoring literacy difficulties, which may be dyslexia, and gives details of relevant approaches and strategies.

Explore this resource

How to use this self-evaluation approach to improve practice

Schools and local authorities can access this free resource and reflect and engage in a cycle of self-evaluation and improvement around dyslexia and inclusive practice.

The information and guidance on the toolkit, combined with practitioners’ reflective practice, will enable them to evaluate the impact of their support, knowledge and understanding of dyslexia and inclusive practice.

The 2014 review 'Making Sense: education for children and young people with dyslexia in Scotland' highlighted that: “Greater use of the [Addressing Dyslexia] Toolkit would help staff to meet more effectively the needs of children and young people with dyslexia”.

The various sections can support staff to:

  • reflect and evaluate their own knowledge and understanding of dyslexia
  • use the information to improve their practice and develop appropriate identification pathways and support approaches

The toolkit can be used by individual staff or by group of practitioners during training sessions, network meetings or collegiate groups. Within the toolkit there are a range of professional learning resources which will:

  • support practitioners to develop a deeper learning and understanding of dyslexia and inclusive practice
  • inform practitioners about ways in which they might engage in meaningful career-long professional learning for improving practice and improving outcomes for children and young people
  • encourage practitioners to be familiar with, and make appropriate use of, the 'Addressing dyslexia toolkit'
  • support teachers in achieving Professional Recognition for areas of enhanced accomplishment in their professional practice

Self-evaluation approach

Key evaluative questions for schools and practitioners include:

  • To what extent does our practice and support for dyslexia and additional support needs  reflect the Scottish educational context?
  • How do we know that all staff have an awareness of the identification pathway/process of dyslexia?
  • To what extent do we support and secure improved achievement and attainment for children and young people with dyslexia and with literacy difficulties?
  • How do we know that our staff are appropriately directed to the toolkit; are provided with relevant professional  learning opportunities and have taken steps to embed this into practice?
  • Do we offer our learners the opportunity to be actively involved in the development of their inclusive school community?
  • How do we know there is respectful and positive communication and engagement between children and young people, parents/carers, staff and partners for dyslexia and inclusion?

Download the toolkit and additional resources

Addressing Dyslexia Toolkit

PDF file: Addressing Dyslexia Toolkit flyer - March 2017 (1.8 MB)