Background to the process and request for feedback
In July 2007, the National Assembly for Wales Enterprise and Learning Committee resolved to establish a cross party Rapporteur Group to consider approaches to supporting individuals with Dyslexia across Wales. The Committee’s final report, entitled ‘Support for people with Dyslexia in Wales’ was published in July 2008 and contains 10 recommendations for the Welsh Assembly Government to consider. A copy of this report can be found on the Welsh Assembly Government web site or via the attached link:
http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-guide-docs-pub/
bus-business-documents/bus-business-documents-doc-laid.htm?act=dis&id= 93073&ds=7/2008
In response to this report and in order to proceed with the accepted recommendations, a Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) Expert Group has been established and has been instructed to conduct an audit and benchmarking exercise to map out current provision for Dyslexia and Specific Learning Difficulties across Wales in primary and secondary mainstream schools and Pupil Referral Units (PRUs).
Professor Amanda Kirby from The Dyscovery Centre, University of Wales, Newport, has agreed to undertake this work, along with Professor Angela Fawcett from Swansea University, Dr. Marketa Caravolas from Bangor University, and other members of the SpLD Expert Group who represent Local Authorities (LAs) and Educational Psychology services from across Wales.
Following data collection via questionnaires, members of the group intend to meet with key personnel within each authority to discuss current Dyslexia and SpLD provision, using a semi-structured interview design. It is hoped that the information obtained will identify best practice and areas that require further development.