Training for teachers and teaching assistants in the UK

1. Training for teachers and teaching assistants in the UK Dr. Kate Saunders British Dyslexia Association

2. British Dyslexia Association 40 years 2009, Rose Review. English government funded 3,600 teachers on BDA accredited courses Highest level dyslexia specialist teachers can now diagnose dyslexia.

3. Qualifications • There are several different levels of training that end in a different qualification • For Teachers – • Associate Member of British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA) • Accredited Teacher Status (ATS) • For non Qualified Teachers • Accredited Practitioner Status (APS) • For teaching assistants • Accredited Learning Support Assistant (ALSA)

4. Qualifications • Other professionals with appropriate professional qualifications and experience can also study/apply for ATS/AMBDA. • speech and language therapists • occupational therapists • educational psychologists • other psychologists They must show they have covered the same range of criteria.

5. AMBDA (Associate Member of the BDA) • This is a diploma and is the highest level • Requirements: • Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for 2 years • 2 years teaching experience • satisfactory completion of accredited course no more than 5 years before applying • AMBDA FE/HE for those whose experience is post 16 • AMBDA Individual Merit

6. AMBDA • This qualifies a teacher to: • Teach pupils with dyslexia (classroom or 1:1) • Support Mentor and coach colleagues in day to day teaching of dyslexic pupils • Carry out diagnostic assessments for Dyslexia/SpLD • Suggest provision of special arrangements for pupils e.g exam concessions. Can apply for Assessment Practising Certificates - required for HE assessments.

7. ATS (Approved Teacher Status)/ APS (Approved Practitioner Status) • This is a certificate and is the 2nd highest level • Requirements ATS • QTS for 2 years, 2 years experience teaching, accredited course • The accredited course is shorter • Requirements APS • Same as ATS but no QTS needed

8. ATS/APS Qualified to assess (but not IQ) for setting teaching programmes, teach, coach and mentor colleagues and assess for exam conditions (school level, not HE) Cannot diagnose

9. ALSA (Accredited Learning Support Assistant) A training course for support workers Trains to facilitate effectively the learning of pupils with specific learning difficulties Enhances the supportive role. Doesn’t mean assistant should function independently. Ideally supervised by dyslexia specialist teacher who sets the teaching programme, monitors progress etc.

10. Courses The BDA stresses the importance of the practical content of specialist training courses. We strongly advocate a structured, sequential, multisensory approach for reading, writing, spelling and numeracy The BDA has set criteria for AMBDA, ATS/APS and ALSA courses. These are on the BDA website www.bdadyslexia.org.uk

11. Course providers write courses to meet these criteria and then apply for BDA accreditation of the course. The courses is validated by a University or equivalent. ATS and AMBDA courses are postgraduate level.

12. BDA Accreditation Board Experts in Dyslexia from across the UK For many years BDA has accredited some courses abroad and this is now carried out by a committee from the BDA Accreditation Board: The BDA International Accreditation Board.

13. Courses ATS/APS ATS and APS course should provide An understanding of the nature of dyslexia Knowledge of teaching good practice Ability to identify learner with dyslexia/SpLD Ability to make assessment appraisals for setting teaching programmes, including information from observation and reports from professionals Create and evaluate teaching programmes to meet specific learning needs

14. Courses ATS/APS The course must involve: 40 hours of lectures plus seminars, tutorials and study time 20 hours evaluated specialist teaching/support (10 hours must be with the same child) 1 hour teaching/support observed and assessed by AMBDA tutor Students keeping up-to date with research and to be able to review and evaluate it

15. Course AMBDA AMBDA course should provide all in ATS/APS course and: An understanding and critical appraisal: current research, theory and practice of psychometrics and its relationship to assessment Ability to prepare and disseminate technical reports including provision of advice and recommendations to meet specific purposes Ability to diagnose dyslexia Ability to design, produce, deliver and critically evaluate appropriate programmes for assessed needs of dyslexic pupils

16. Course AMBDA The course must involve: 90 hours of lectures, seminars and guided learning plus study time 30 hours of evaluated specialist teaching (12 hours must be with same pupil) 3 hours of teaching observed by AMBDA tutor 3 diagnostic assessment reports from 3 different assessments under supervision ( 1 hour under supervision of AMBDA tutor)

17. Course ALSA ALSA course should provide: • awareness of theories of teaching and learning for SpLD • knowledge and understanding of how SpLDsare manifested in the classroom • ability to employ a range of approaches and resources suitable for the support • ability to select and/or construct suitable materials • ability to record and report pupils' response to support

18. Course ALSA This course must include: 24 hours of lectures and seminars (BDA recommends at least 30 hours) plus private study 20 hours recorded support time.

19. Training • We also provide many one day training courses • Practical Solutions for Dyslexia • Practical Solutions Plus • Screening for Dyslexia • Dealing with Dyscalculia • Dyscalculia Plus • Some can be put together for a lower level qualification in Dyslexia Awareness, Support and Screening • 500 a year • Bespoke INSET and training – in UK and abroad

20. Bespoke INSET and training – in UK and abroad