Key Debates in Educational Policy

Developing the Debate

By: Julian Elliott, Andrew Davis (Editor), Rod Nicolson

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Paperback | 1 June 2016 | Edition Number 1

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224 Pages

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21.6 x 13.8

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Dyslexia is often presented as a clearly delineated condition that can be diagnosed on the basis of appropriate cognitive tests with corresponding forms on intervention. However, this approachable text explores the issues behind this assertion in bringing together leading figures in the field to debate dyslexia.

Julian Elliott shows that understandings and usage of the dyslexia label vary substantially with little consensus or agreement and in putting forward his critique draws upon research in several disciplinary fields to demonstrate the irrationality of these arguments. Roderick I. Nicolson demonstrates that current approaches to understanding, identification and support of dyslexia are catastrophically flawed in terms of their failure to consider the developmental nature of dyslexia. He develops two themes: first that the underlying cause of dyslexia is 'delayed neural commitment' for skills and neural circuits, and second that the cause of the reading disability is the introduction of formal instruction before the dyslexic child's neural circuits for executive function are sufficiently developed. He argues that a more effective and cost-effective approach to identification and support involves 'assessment for dyslexia' rather than 'of dyslexia'. Elliott and Nicolson respond to the points each other raise before Andrew Davis investigates how far the key claims of Elliott and Nicolson can withstand close conceptual investigation, and explores the inherent limitations of scientific research on this topic, given the value and conceptual issues concerned.

Industry Reviews

Ask almost any teacher and they will say that, without doubt, 'dyslexia' is one of the most contentious terms in contemporary education. Dyslexia attracts combatants who often polarize their position, sometimes to the detriment of children themselves. Elliott and Nicolson bring authoritative good sense to a contentious debate. Theirs are arguments that allow judgment and intellect to flourish, whilst diminishing the case of 'dyslexia partisans'.
Philip Garner, Professor of Education, University of Northampton, UK

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