To kick off Dyslexia Awareness Month, we welcome you to our private screening room of Left Behind.
Dyslexia impacts one in five children worldwide. While about 20% of the population has this learning difference, nearly half of individuals in prison—48%—are dyslexic. Too often, families without financial resources lack access to the testing and tailored literacy instruction their children need to succeed.
The documentary Left Behind shines a light on this issue, telling the story of mothers in New York City who united to open the first public school dedicated to students with dyslexia. Their journey reminds us that change is possible when communities come together.
Here in Virginia, we have our own story to celebrate! This fall marks one year since the Virginia Literacy Act took effect—a landmark step in ensuring that every student receives evidence-based reading instruction. Over the past year, schools across the Commonwealth have adopted stronger, science-aligned curricula, expanded educator training on the science of reading and explicit instruction, and utilized data from tools like the VALLSS screener to identify students who need extra support. Families, educators, and specialists are working side by side, and the results are starting to show not only more collaboration, but also more access to evidence-based literacy instruction and high-quality instructional materials, which in turn is providing more hope for striving readers.
As you reflect on the film, we invite you to consider two guiding questions:
— First, in which ways can you personally enhance collaboration between families, teachers, and specialists to create the kind of support network that helps students with dyslexia thrive?
— And second, one year into the Virginia Literacy Act, what changes have you noticed—or hope to see—in how schools identify and support students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities?
Finally, upon participating in this screening, we encourage you to complete the linked TTAC ODU evaluation form. Once submitted, it will automatically generate your certificate of participation.
Together, through the Virginia Literacy Act and the dedication of our collaborative partners, we are building a more promising future for every learner.
Enjoy the film!
Please be advised: this film contains raw content and some explicit language.
Evaluation & Certificate
Please take a few moments to complete the TTAC ODU Evaluation Survey. When you finish the survey and embedded reflection responses, a certificate of participation will automatically be generated for you to download.
