Every classroom has students who struggle with reading—due to dyslexia, other learning differences, or simply needing more time to develop skills. General education teachers don’t need to be dyslexia experts to make a meaningful difference. What they do need are practical, research-based strategies that help students feel included, confident, and capable.
In honor of Dyslexia Awareness Month—and to reinforce positive reading habits all year—here are four proven strategies general education teachers can use to support struggling readers:
- Normalize different ways of reading (like audiobooks)
- Create a print-friendly environment
- Build confidence through choice and voice
- Collaborate with families and specialists
- Celebrate Every Reading Win
These simple shifts create classrooms where all students can thrive.
1. Normalize Different Ways of Reading
Students notice when they feel “different.” General education teachers can help normalize the use of tools like audiobooks by talking about their favorite audiobook and how popular they are. Audiobooks allow students with dyslexia to access grade-level text without being limited by decoding struggles, supporting comprehension, vocabulary growth, and motivation (Reading Rockets).
As Winslow Coyne Reitnouer Award winner and teacher Kathy Whitman shared:
“Learning Ally was a game changer because it enabled all students to have access to amazing literature that they would not independently be able to read… it leveled the playing field for our dyslexic learners. When they finish a book their neurotypical peers are reading, they can have conversations—you see the pride and joy when they engage in those discussions.”
EMBED VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcvvrk320LM
2. Create a Print-Friendly Environment
Simple classroom adjustments can reduce barriers for students who struggle with reading:
- Offer printed materials in larger fonts
- Provide structured graphic organizers
- Break instructions into short, clear steps
- Use visuals alongside text when possible
These align with the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) recommendations for classroom accommodations (IDA Dyslexia in the Classroom). They don’t just benefit students with dyslexia—they improve clarity for all learners.
3. Build Confidence Through Choice and Voice
Research indicates that student choice and voice significantly boost reading motivation, engagement, and confidence—especially for students who struggle with reading.
- In a recent study of Grade-3 pupils, students who were given a choice in reading material (even perceived choice) performed better on comprehension tasks and reported higher enjoyment. PMC
- For students with reading disabilities, motivational interventions that include choice of texts and engaging content improved reading enjoyment and increased the likelihood of reading outside of required assignments. SAGE Journals
- Interest theories also show that allowing students to choose texts aligned to their interests or situational contexts helps them tackle more challenging texts—because they’re motivated to try when it’s something relevant to them. ILA Journal+1
Give students ways to express what they’ve learned in different formats—through oral retellings, discussions, visual representations, or creative projects. This not only reinforces comprehension but also strengthens their ownership of their learning and builds confidence over time.
4. Collaborate with Families and Specialists
General education teachers don’t have to be experts in dyslexia. However, they play a crucial role in the support system by partnering with Special Education teams, sharing reading progress with families, and encouraging the use of audiobooks and structured literacy tools at home. Research reinforces this: family engagement is linked to better outcomes for students with learning differences. For instance, a systematic review found that parent-involved interventions have a positive impact on the academic and social success of students with special educational needs. Taylor & Francis Online
In addition, a specialized study of children with learning disabilities found that caregiver support is associated with higher academic achievement. PMC
5. Celebrate Every Reading Win
For struggling readers, progress can feel slow. Recognizing small achievements—such as finishing a book, using an annotation tool, or reading for 10 minutes without frustration—builds momentum.
This practice draws on growth mindset research (Dweck, 2006), which shows that celebrating effort as much as results fosters resilience, motivation, and long-term confidence. In reading classrooms, that can mean celebrating attempts at new strategies, not just perfect scores.
Ready to Support Your Struggling Readers?
General Education teachers have an incredible influence in shaping students’ reading identities. With small but intentional shifts—normalizing audiobooks, making print more accessible, offering choice, partnering with families, and celebrating wins—you can create a classroom where struggling readers don’t just survive, they thrive.
Want more practical strategies?
We’ve created a resource to help school leaders and teachers rethink how they support students:
👉 Download the 5 Mindset Shifts Flyer
Inside, you’ll find actionable shifts every school can make to move from awareness to real impact. Use it with your team as a discussion guide or professional learning tool.