As National Dyslexia Awareness Month comes to a close, educators and leaders are reflecting on what’s next—how to move from awareness to meaningful change in classrooms.
Dr. Pamela Snow
At the 2024 Spotlight on Dyslexia (SPOD) virtual conference, one of the most powerful sessions came from Dr. Pamela Snow, speech-language pathologist, professor, and co-director of the Science of Language and Reading (SOLAR) Lab at La Trobe University, Australia. Her keynote challenged educators to rethink literacy instruction, teacher training, and systemic support for students with dyslexia.
Why Strong Foundational Literacy Matters for Students with Dyslexia
Dr. Snow’s keynote emphasized that dyslexia is not a simple diagnosis—it’s a systemic instructional challenge. When students struggle to read, it often reflects gaps in Tier 1 classroom instruction rather than individual deficits.
She drew an analogy to public health: rather than relying solely on remedial “treatments,” educators must build preventive systems—robust, evidence-based instruction for all.
Research strongly supports this approach. Explicit, systematic literacy instruction has been shown to improve decoding and comprehension skills for all students, including those with dyslexia (National Reading Panel, 2000; Ehri et al., 2001). Foundational literacy instruction, when implemented consistently, helps reduce the number of students who later require intensive intervention.
How Educator Training Must Adapt to Dyslexia-Informed Instruction
One of the critical themes of Dr. Snow’s address was the need for systemic change in educational instruction. This involves reorienting teacher training to better equip educators with the skills necessary to identify and effectively instruct students with dyslexia. The transition from “balanced literacy” to a more evidence-based framework requires both a mindset and practice shift for educators across the globe.
Dr. Snow highlighted the role of collaboration among teachers and allied health professionals. Through team-based approaches, schools can design and implement high-quality literacy instruction that accommodates diverse learners. Such collective efficacy, empowered by data-driven decisions, can transform educational outcomes.
“What teachers who have adopted a structured literacy approach … consistently report is the joy that children display when they can crack the code and lift words off the page.” — Dr. Pamela Snow, The Snow Report, 2021
In fact, reviews of teacher education programs show that covering all five key components of reading instruction significantly increases the likelihood that teachers will use the methods that support struggling readers. (NCTQ, 2020)
Using Data to Drive Literacy Equity and Dyslexia Support
Data-driven instruction is a pivotal tool in driving educational change. Dr. Snow noted that using evidence and data not only informs instruction but also substantiates the necessity for systemic transformations. High-quality data enables educators to identify effective teaching practices and leverage this information to advocate for policy changes that reduce instructional variability and promote equity in literacy education.
The Path Forward: Professional Learning and Collaboration
The session concluded with a call to action for educators to take proactive steps to apply these insights in their classrooms. There is a need for persistent advocacy and engagement with policymakers to ensure that evidence-based practices become the standard in all educational settings. Through professional learning communities and collaboration, educators can share success stories and challenges, contributing to a collective movement towards better literacy outcomes for students with dyslexia.
Dr. Snow asserts that solving the literacy crisis requires “systems, not hero teachers”—a shift from individual efforts to coordinated, evidence-based instructional frameworks. (The Snow Report)
In the evolving landscape of education, continuous learning and adaptation remain crucial. By embracing evidence-based practices and fostering an inclusive educational environment, we can empower every student to become a successful reader.
Keep Learning: Dive Deeper into Dyslexia Education
Educators can continue deepening their understanding of dyslexia and evidence-based reading instruction through Learning Ally’s ongoing professional learning opportunities. Our Spotlight on Dyslexia conference and follow-up webinars feature leading experts who share practical insights on structured literacy, early intervention, and inclusive classroom strategies.
🌐 Stay connected to explore upcoming sessions, replay keynotes you may have missed, and access new resources that help turn research into daily classroom practice.
👉 Explore Learning Ally’s professional learning events and resources.
Together, we can continue building classrooms where every student—especially those with dyslexia—has the opportunity to become a confident, successful reader.