Meeting Students Needs

In reading the Mesmer and Mesmer piece about the RTI model for reading and the Hudson piece on dyslexia, I've noticed that both focus on the learner as being capable. The traditional discrepancy model for special education services uses the deficit model- this student is not as smart as others and as the article mentioned, it's more of a wait until it's too late approach. Whereas using the RTI model allows the student an opportunity to improve before being referred to special education services. It focuses direct instruction to match the students needs. Similarly, the Hudson article mentions that teachers should view students with dyslexia not as lazy or simply in need of more practice reading but actually having a neurological issue. This way students can receive intense instruction in reading and improve, instead of letting these students fall dramatically behind without hope for getting caught up. I think it is often too easy for teachers to assume that students are struggling in reading because they are not trying hard enough, especially when students seem to be disinterested in reading. It is truly sad when students feel they are not getting the attention they need from their teacher and end up giving up on trying to improve on their own. Reading these articles reinforces for me the critical role of the teacher in identifying where students need extra support, and rather than refer them to someone else i.e. a specialist, ask themselves what I need to do. As a soon-to-be teacher it seems like an extremely daunting task to be able to identify and meet the needs of 30 or so people in all areas of their education, but critical to student success.