4D is for Dyslexia: A Guide for New Zealand Schools

Welcome to our updated 4D schools page which sets out the 4D Self-Review Process that has been successfully piloted in a number of schools across NZ over 2009 and 2010. 4D is a school-led initiative, available to all schools.

4D schools are listed on this website so that parents and educators can view which schools are aiming to achieve the very best from their dyslexic students and those other students that think differently. The level of the school is not published on this website, rather, schools offer transparency about their progress by way of their policies and actions. Simply make contact with the Principal or the Learning Support leader within the school and, if you don't get the answers you need, email us for help. 4D is about school-wide changes to improve teaching and learning for all staff and students at the school. 4D Schools are leading schools – campaigning Best Practice. Get it Right for Dyslexics – Get it Right for All. By recognizing different learning styles and thinking preferences, as well as acknowledging diversity, the 4D approach helps all students at risk of underachievement. As teachers ‘notice’ student learning preferences, and ‘adjust’ the teaching style accordingly, 4D assists in accelerating the learning outcomes.

4D Self Review tools and processes allow schools to begin a journey of simple systemic and classroom adjustments over a planned timeframe. Schools can access expert Professional Development through those listed on our 4D Consultancy pages or others in order to aid and help implement changes at any point throughout the journey. The end result is becoming a 4D/ Best Practice School, where school leaders and staff have unlocked barriers to achievement through policy, strategy, and action to ensure ALL STUDENTS REACH THEIR PERSONAL BEST. It is easy… and schools are doing much of what is involved already. The process is built on the ERO Self-Review Process which ensures that schools need only measure what is already required by the ERO, therefore huge improvements can be made without requiring more resources.

There are 3 levels of 4D Schools that reflect progress:

Level 1: Upon registering as a 4D School, schools are on level 1. This means that your school has an awareness of dyslexia and has a strong intention to move forward to becoming a 4D/ Best Practice School. A level 1 school has a dyslexia friendly policy in place that is available via the school website or by request. The policy is being implemented in the current school year.

Level 2: This is a school that has set out a realistic timeframe of actionable and measurable adjustments to becoming dyslexia friendly, as determined by all stakeholders, i.e. parents, school staff and BOT. The Action Plan would include evidence of measureable adjustments across the 6 Dimensions of Good Practice as set out by ERO. These are:

1. Student Learning, Engagement and Achievement
2. Engaging Parents and Whanau
3. Effective Teaching
4. Leading and Managing the School
5. Safe and Inclusive Culture
6. Governing the School

A level 2 school is likely to remain at this level for at least a year whilst changes are being implemented and refined.

Level 3: This is a school that has gone through a self-administered Pre-Audit, Action Plan, whole staff PD and Post-Audit and can demonstrate to its stakeholders that dyslexia-friendly practices are positively impacting all 6 Dimensions of the school. This school is a 4D/Best Practice School; a school in which a parent can confidently see that their child is provided full access to the NZ curriculum by recognising the individual's learning preferences.

4D Consultancy has a select number of independent experts from NZ and UK that can provide the assistance and professional development required by a school or cluster. These consultants are all very familiar with 4D and each has their own specialist skills.

They can be accessed for ad hoc support or to aid the whole process. To find out more email esther.whitehead@4d.org.nz today or go to www.4d.org.nz/consultancy/for more details.