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The 4D Schools programme - what's involved?
Based on principles of empowerment, collaboration and change, the revolutionary 4D programme was designed in consultation with international dyslexia expert Neil Mackay. It provides access to a national and international framework of learnings, insights and advice which can both make life easier in the classroom for teachers and improve learning outcomes for students.
4D | For Dyslexia – which also stands for 4 Difference and 4 Diversity – extends the common perception of three dimensions to embrace a fourth dimension based on creativity. This fourth dimension is likened to a dyslexic or atypical way of thinking which can offer great creative gifts if addressed correctly.
The 4D Schools programme is designed to support new thinking on dyslexia in the Kiwi classroom, and help teachers take the simple steps necessary to ensure dyslexic students harness their potential. The most advanced resource in this area ever made available to New Zealand schools, the programme also offers significant benefits for teachers. When small changes to the classroom environment can create marked improvements in student engagement and behaviour, a teaching stress is removed.
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The programme involves three key steps – producing a policy; outlining a strategy for classroom and school-wide change; and implementation. Crucially, it includes close to 100 simple things teachers can do to create a positive learning environment, from reviewing seating layouts through to use of new technology. These are detailed in our updated, downloadable 4D Schools Guide V2, available by clicking here.
Our consultant Neil Mackay, also the architect of the acclaimed British Dyslexia Friendly Schools initiative, is one of the world’s leading thinkers on dyslexia and the author of the renowned resource book Removing Dyslexia as a Barrier to Achievement. An experienced teacher with more than 26 years experience in mainstream schools; he has been an HM schools inspector; and consults to Education Authorities and Departments in the UK, Hong Kong and Malta.
The 4D Schools programme revolves around a ‘notice and adjust’ teaching paradigm, with comprehensive guidance on noticing students who are having issues and adjusting the teaching to suit. It includes a comprehensive resource of simple classroom changes which fit with the expectations of the new National Curriculum and will drive the kind of measurable progress mandated by the Government’s Crusade for Literacy and Numeracy. You can read more about Neil Mackay and notice and adjust at our dedicated 4D Edge webspace. Other exciting 4D developments include a new 4D Virtual Classroom, presenting student views on classroom changes that work for them.
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The three key steps of the 4D Schools programme are:
- Creating a written 4D Dyslexia Policy with links to other policies
- Producing a strategy for classroom and school-wide change which will involve professional development, and be led by a key staff member
- Implementing the strategy, as an individual school or as a school cluster, including monitoring and tracking to ensure it is adding value for dyslexic students and all students
For resources that may help with Policy formulation - click here
Level 1: Upon registering as a 4D School, schools are recognised as Level 1. To maintain this status, schools must have by March 31 2011 or within 12 months of registering, a policy and strategy published. and screened by 4D.
Level 2: Recognises that a school has both a policy and strategy in place and is in the process of
implementing these. The school must be able to demonstrate PD has taken place at a whole-school level.
Level 3: Recognises that "Whole School Dyslexia Best Practice" has been achieved by evaluating practice with an onsite visit from a 4D consultant.
A Quality Mark and award system to support this process is currently under development, and is expected
to be in place later in 2010. As soon as a school registers its intention to take the three steps, it will receive a 4D
logo to load onto its website. Guidance and support on each of these steps are provided in the 4D Schools Guide V2.
To sign up for the 4D Schools programme or to join our mailing list for those that support schools click here
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