Right to Read

The findings of the Ontario Human Rights Commission have brought to the forefront the fundamental and essential right of all students to profit from instruction that is direct, systematic and explicit in order to become fully literate. Evidence based reading intervention programs such as Corrective Reading, Lexia and Empower, have been used at WCDSB for the past 15 years.  We have seen firsthand how these programs can be instrumental in improving word reading, decoding, spelling, reading fluency and reading comprehension. Specialized training is provided so that students and staff are equipped to use computer programs and devices effectively.

Over the past year, WCDSB has implemented the Heggerty program as a tier one classroom tool to support the development of phonemic and phonological awareness in our Kindergarten and primary classrooms.  We have also engaged our Speech and Language Pathologists, to work directly in the classrooms, with classroom teachers and students to implement and support the use of the Heggerty program in both whole class and small groups settings.

On February 28, 2022, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) released its Right to Read inquiry report on human rights issues affecting students with reading disabilities, such as dyslexia. Watch the recorded live stream of the Right to Read Inquiry Report Release.

With the recent release of the Right to Read report, we are carefully reviewing the recommendations and we eagerly await further information from the Ministry of Education as we move forward. We acknowledge that there are systemic issues and barriers that we must continue to work on as we implement the findings of the report.  At WCDSB our mission statement is “Our Catholic Schools: heart of the community – success for each and place for all.  We will continue to strive in our efforts to implement the OHRC recommendations that support the success of all students in an inclusive faith-based community.