In a new proposal, the country’s primary schools must test pupils who show signs of reading difficulties for dyslexia no later than 1st grade.
This must be done by a so-called dyslexia risk test.
It is crucial for children’s well-being that it is discovered early, says Minister for Children and Education Pernille Rosenkrantz-Theil (S).
– It can be really hard to go to school if it is not (dyslexia, ed.) Caught. And we know that children can do just as well as everyone else, even if they are dyslexic, if only you catch it early enough.
– We must give students the same chance as all other students – even if they suffer from dyslexia – and we do not do that today, she says.
As it stands now, it is first mandatory for schools to test 3rd graders who show signs of reading difficulties for dyslexia.
Municipalities and schools can use the dyslexia risk test in 0th and 1st grade. But now Pernille Rosenkrantz-Theil wants to make it a legal requirement that it happens in 1st class at the latest.
And it makes good sense to do so because an early intervention is important. This is the opinion of Dorthe Klint Petersen, who has researched reading at the Danish Institute for Pedagogy and Education and specializes in dyslexia.
– All research indicates that there is a greater effect of a preventive effort than when the injury has occurred.
Dorthe Klint Petersen’s impression, however, is that many schools already have a preventive effort and are aware of dyslexia in the small classes.
– But one can hope that it can help push the schools that are not aware of discovering dyslexia, she says.
By making it a legal requirement to test in 1st grade, the Minister of Children and Education hopes to catch more early.
– It gives us the opportunity to help students in the best possible way. In a child’s life, waiting for 3rd grade is an incredibly long time.
The government’s proposal must be part of a new system that replaces the controversial national tests that all schools must complete by February 2020.
Today, it is only compulsory for a fifth of primary schools. Those who have the greatest professional backlog.
Pernille Rosenkrantz-Theil will not comment specifically on what other measures the new system must include.
She refers to the fact that the government in its overall proposal will be based on a proposal that the Danish Teachers ‘Association together with the National Association of Local Authorities and the School Leaders’ Association came up with before the summer holidays.
Here, the recommendations are that a new test and evaluation system only tests in reading and mathematical skills. And that it is done at fewer grade levels than before.
According to the minister, the mandatory tests for dyslexia in 1st grade will cost under ten million annually.
She will not get closer to where the money is to be found until negotiations with the other parties have begun.