Building Better Readers: Characterizing the Neurological Effects of the SpellRead Reading Intervention Program

Literacy forms the foundation for most academic learning, and ultimately for economic and societalparticipation. However, an estimated 5-15% of Canadian children have dyslexia, which impedes theireducation and limits their ability to reach their full potential as productive members of society; as well theysuffer social stigma and lower self-esteem. Statistics Canada has quantified that each 1% improvement in thenational average literacy rate would translate into an $18 billion increase in annual GDP. Reading interventionprograms are a critical tool to help children who are struggling with their reading to close the gap with theirpeers. One highly successful program is SpellRead, delivered by Halifax Learning Centre (HLC). Over the past20 years, HLC has successfully delivered SpellRead to over 3000 clients and has seen very positive outcomes,which have been verified in a handful of empirical studies. At this point in time, HLC has developed a 5-yearstrategic plan for growth. This includes national expansion and the development of mobile apps to supplementtheir teacher-delivered program. Key to their plans for growth are (1) further independent, empirical validationof the efficacy of the SpellRead program; (2) a better understanding of the neuro-cognitive mechanisms bywhich SpellRead works; and (3) assistance in the development and validation of the mobile apps. ThisENGAGE grant with the NeuroCognitive Imaging Lab at Dalhousie University represents the first stage of anew industry-university partnership aimed at supporting HLC's research and development. In the initial projectwe will assess reading outcomes and brain activity in a 6-month longitudinal study of children going throughthe SpellRead program, and a matched group of control children. This work will lay the groundwork for furthercollaboration between the partners in future projects. This is a joint NSERC-Mitacs application; the projectalso includes a Mitacs Accelerate internship to support a computer science intern who will develop a researchdatabase/analysis portal to complement the ENGAGE-funded work.