Dyslexia link to school failures

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 14th Mar 2008

Many schoolchildren could be failing reading and writing tests because they are unaware they are dyslexic, new government-funded research suggests. A study by Hull University academics of 1,300 children said dyslexia was a major cause of failure.

Over half those who did not achieve expected levels in SATS tests displayed all the signs of being dyslexic. The research has led to calls for more specially-trained teachers in schools as well as better diagnosis. The study is the first to firmly identify dyslexia as a major cause of underachievement in primary schools.

It looked at seven and 11-year-olds who failed to reach expected levels of reading and writing in SATS tests. The majority - 55% - displayed all the signs of being dyslexic.

Campaigners say the research shows many such children are being let down by schools as they could overcome the reading disorder if they received a diagnosis and specialist teaching. They claim the reading disorder could affect as many as one in five children and that too often it is ignored in the classroom. The government is piloting a scheme using specially-trained dyslexia teachers, but says it will not roll it out nationally until it is sure they teachers make a difference