Introducing STICORDI measures in the Balkans (focus on dyslexia)

<< Background >>This project addresses discriminatory practices in education, particularly concerning inclusive education and supporting children with dyslexia. 1.The need for policy-level impact to improve training for mainstream teachers on how to support children with disabilities, especially dyslexia.2.The need teachers in primary and secondary education must be equipped with tools to function effectively in inclusive education settings. In both Bulgaria and Türkiye, there is a gap in teacher preparedness, especially for children with disabilities like dyslexia. Dyslexia, a common learning disability, presents challenges for many mainstream teachers, who often lack the training to support students effectively. This project aimed to improve policies ensuring all teachers, regardless of subject, receive necessary training on dyslexia and other disabilities. 3.The need of parents, often bewildered and uncertain, need guidance on recognizing dyslexia symptoms in their children and strategies for supporting them. In summary, the project promoted systemic change by improving teacher training policies, enhancing educators' ability to work inclusively, and supporting parents as vital partners in their children's education.<< Objectives >>1. Improve Teacher Training: Ensure mainstream teachers in primary and secondary education receive adequate training to support students with disabilities, particularly those with dyslexia.2. Equip Teachers for Inclusive Education: Provide teachers with the necessary tools and resources to effectively function in inclusive education settings, ensuring they can support all students, including those with learning challenges.3. Enhance Policy at the National Level: Advocate for changes in education policy to require that all teachers, regardless of subject, are trained to understand and apply supportive measures for students with dyslexia and other disabilities.4. Support Parents: Offer guidance and resources to parents of children with dyslexia, helping them understand the symptoms, provide support, and navigate educational challenges.5. Promote Systemic Change: Drive long-term improvements in the education system by promoting changes in policies and practices related to teacher training, inclusive education, and parent involvement.6. Increase Awareness: Raise awareness about dyslexia and the importance of inclusive education, fostering a more supportive and informed environment for students with disabilities.<< Implementation >>Within our project we have successfully implemented a number of activities that result in comprehensive training resources (meant for online and offline use) by the project target groups. They can be summarized as follows: We developed and piloted adapted STICORDI measures, inspired by best practices from Flanders, Belgium. These measures were effectively transferred to Bulgaria and Turkey after thorough customization and adaptation to match the local contexts. They are included in WP3: Manual STICORDI measures for schools that also contains collected by all partners best practices in implementing the STICORDI measures. These manuals are available in 3 languages BG, TR, EN. In order to make the content useful and practical BG and TR partners recorded 11 training videos demonstrating selected STICORDI measures from all 5 categories. They are embedded in the relevant pages of the Manuals. We also created and piloted comprehensive training manuals in the 3 languages. They are part of the results of WP4. Additionally, we developed and piloted training manuals for parents available in BG, TR, EN. These resources are designed to assist them in overcoming the challenges associated with early recognition, diagnosing and managing learning << Results >>As a result of joint efforts and shared knowledge and expertise the partnership mutually have produced the following outputs extensive national report noting the current training needs of target groups, SWOT and PEST analysis of the educational environment, legal and policy gaps as well as strategies available for educational support of children with learning difficulties (LD) as well as feedback from parents and teachers concerning the effective education of those students; adapted STICORDI measures training videos and guidelines for applying them, included in STICORDI manual; Manual for schools with practical guidelines and strategies how to teach students with dyslexia and other LD; Manual for parents with tips, case studies and exercises; interactive e-platform and mobile apps for distant learning; policy recommendations and initiatives for changing the legislation to better address the needs of children with dyslexia as well as ongoing awareness campaigns for more effective education of students with LD; piloting and feedback report about the usefulness and applicability of the STICORDI manuals and other training resources encompassing the evaluation and recommendations by more than 500 teachers, special educators and parents