Susan Dunbar

Ask about this one thing at your struggling reader’s IEP meeting...CURRICULUM.

What curricula are being used to teach my child?

Curriculum is the planned sequence of lessons, materials, and approaches teachers use to help your child meet literacy goals aligned with state standards.
It is often not explicitly mentioned in IEP documents or discussed during meetings, yet it’s vital to know what your child is being taught with.
Curricula can vary widely in quality and effectiveness, especially for struggling readers or students with dyslexia or specific learning disabilities.

Tier 1 (Core/Whole Class Curriculum):
- Used with all students in general education classrooms.
- Usually district-chosen and less flexible for teachers.
Tier 2 & Tier 3 (Intervention Curricula):
- More intensive, targeted instruction for struggling readers.
- Administered individually or in small groups.
- Designed to fill learning gaps and build foundational skills.
Supplemental Curricula:
- Additional tools or programs focusing on specific skills (e.g., phonics, handwriting).
- Can be for all or select students, depending on purpose.

Not all curricula are evidence-based or effective.
Some popular programs use approaches unsupported by cognitive science and can harm struggling readers by reinforcing ineffective reading habits.
Many schools still use these ineffective curricula despite research showing they don’t work.

Ask explicitly at the IEP meeting (or via email) about all the curricula your child is receiving (Tier 1, 2, 3, and supplemental).
Write down the names and details of these curricula for your records.
Research the curricula using trusted resources:
Determine if the curricula are based on science of reading principles or less effective approaches.
Speak up if you have concerns—request another meeting or ask for an administrator to join.
Your child deserves instruction based on what works for literacy development and future success.

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