A newly released report from the Manitoba Human Rights Commission highlights the need for further efforts to ensure that all children in Manitoba have equal opportunities to develop reading skills. The report emphasizes the challenges faced by students with disabilities in accessing this fundamental human right.
According to the 137-page report, while Manitoba has made recent strides in enhancing literacy through upcoming changes to the English language arts curriculum and directives for universal early screening, there remains room for enhancement. The report offers numerous recommendations on enhancing reading instruction and assessment methods, catering to students with reading disabilities, and addressing systemic issues.
Based partly on feedback from a 2023 survey involving students, parents, and school personnel in the province, many expressed dissatisfaction with the current reading instruction approach in Manitoba schools. The commission suggests that the English curriculum should provide clear guidelines for a proven effective teaching method, known as the “direct, explicit, systematic, and cumulative approach.”
Moreover, the report raises concerns about the validity and reliability of the benchmarks used for early reading screenings in schools. It notes a lack of clarity on how to support students post-screening despite the implementation of universal screening.
Additional recommendations in the report include increased training for educators, improved access to assistive technologies, and strategies to address shortages of essential support personnel like school psychologists and speech-language pathologists.
The Manitoba Human Rights Commission plans to monitor the province’s efforts in reforming reading education and will provide updated assessments as the changes are implemented by 2026-27.
During the report’s release event, parents emphasized the importance of supporting children with learning disabilities. Natalie Riediger, a parent of two children with dyslexia, highlighted the insufficient support within Manitoba’s education system, leading her to opt for alternatives. Alicia Smith, the executive director of Dyslexia Canada, expressed hope that the report would drive momentum for crucial changes.
Ten-year-old Jacob Dyck, a Grade 5 student, shared his personal challenges with dyslexia at the event, underscoring the need for effective support to ensure all children have the opportunity to learn to read and write without undue struggles.