Hi Sharon,
First, I would suggest the book _Overcoming Dyslexia_ by Sally Shaywitz 
as a good introduction to what is dyslexia and what research tells us 
about its causes and interventions.  Two great websites at the 
International Dyslexia Association (www.interdys.org) which provides 
lots of information about dyslexia and the Florida Center for Reading 
Research (www.fcrr.org) which has a site just for teachers.  The FCRR 
teacher site provides information on the components of effective reading 
programs and evaluates reading programs based on these criteria. 

These are the essential components it lists:

1. Phonemic awareness
2. Phonics
3. Vocabulary development
4. Reading fluency, including oral reading skills
5. Reading comprehension strategies
www.fcrr.org/FCRRreports/PDF/Components_of_Effective_Reading_Programs.pdf

I hope this is helpful.
Megan

Sharon Hillestad wrote:

> Hello,

> I help run a Community Learning Center. I have been a educator (in and 

> out of school) for over 35 years. Presently I help children and adults 

> learn how to read and I supervise 20 tutors who are employed to tutor 

> children in the "No Child Left Behind" program. We have 175 such 

> students. In addition I supervise volunteers who tutor the children 

> who were left behind. I am interested in learning as much as I can 

> about the cause and cure of dislexia.

> Sharon Hillestad

>

> --- On *Mon, 9/22/08, Megan Bakan /<bakan at psy.fsu.edu>/* wrote:

>

>     From: Megan Bakan <bakan at psy.fsu.edu>

>     Subject: [LearningDisabilities 2319] The Dyslexia Research

>     Registry: Making the Difference in Reading Research!

>     To: "The Learning Disabilities Discussion List"

>     <learningdisabilities at nifl.gov>

>     Date: Monday, September 22, 2008, 10:21 AM

>

>     Hi! I am Megan Bakan. I am a research associate with the Dyslexia 

>     Research Registry.  I am very pleased to be speaking with you today.  

>     Thank you for joining this discussion. 

>

>

>     The goals of this discussion are:

>     1. To introduce you to the Dyslexia Research Registry and to explain how 

>     it works.

>     2. To inform you about some of the research topics associated with this lab.

>     3. To discuss the importance of research in understanding reading and 

>     dyslexia.

>     4.To let you know how you can become involved in research through the 

>     Dyslexia Research Registry.

>

>

>     The Dyslexia Research Registry (DRR) is a project of the Florida State 

>     University Learning Disability Center. (www.fsuld.org 

>     <http://www.fsuld.org/>/dyslexia_registry)  The purpose of the Dyslexia 

>     Research Registry is to facilitate research in the understanding of 

>     dyslexia.

>

>     What is dyslexia? Individuals with reading difficulties vary 

>     dramatically in degree of severity.  Approximately 5% of children with 

>     reading disabilities do not respond adequately to the best available 

>     instruction.  In spite of adequate vocabulary knowledge and general 

>     intelligence, they continue to struggle with sight word reading, word 

>     reading fluency, and reading comprehension.  Often there is a family 

>     history of learning difficulties.  These individuals are likely to be 

>     diagnosed with dyslexia.

>

>      The DRR recruits families who have a history of dyslexia who would like 

>     to participate in reading research being conducted by the Florida Center 

>     for Reading Research.  Families are then notified of appropriate reading 

>     research projects and invited to participate.  Joining the registry does 

>     not obligate one to participate in any project.

>

>      

>

>     Have you participated in dyslexia or reading research projects?

>

>      

>     Do you know how researchers typically identify participants?

>

>      

>     How can community programs for individuals with learning disabilities 

>     and university research programs work together?

>

>      

>

>     Next post: Dyslexia Research Registry funding and current research topics.

>

>     -- 

>     Megan M. Bakan Ph.D.

>     Florida State University

>     Department of Psychology

>     Room 418B

>     1107 W. Call Street

>     Tallahassee, FL 32306-4301

>     FSU Office (850)644-4563

>     Toll Free: 1-866-290-2456

>     Home Office (850)216-0510

>

>     The Dyslexia Research Registry

>     Improving Reading, Improving Learning, Improving Lives

>     www.fsuld.org

>

>     ----------------------------------------------------

>     National Institute for Literacy

>     Learning Disabilities mailing list

>     LearningDisabilities at nifl.gov

>     To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to

>     http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/learningdisabilities

>     Email delivered to sharonhillestad at yahoo.com

>               

>

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> ----------------------------------------------------

> National Institute for Literacy

> Learning Disabilities mailing list

> LearningDisabilities at nifl.gov

> To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/learningdisabilities

> Email delivered to bakan at psy.fsu.edu


-- 
Megan M. Bakan Ph.D.
Florida State University
Department of Psychology
Room 418B
1107 W. Call Street
Tallahassee, FL 32306-4301
FSU Office (850)644-4563
Toll Free: 1-866-290-2456
Home Office (850)216-0510

The Dyslexia Research Registry
Improving Reading, Improving Learning, Improving Lives
www.fsuld.org