South Australian teachers are set to receive expanded training and classroom resources to better support students with dyslexia, as a statewide initiative rolls out across all government schools in 2026.
The Differentiated Not Different Dyslexia project, first introduced in 2023, is being scaled up following strong results from early implementation. The program promotes inclusive teaching practices for students with learning disabilities, with teachers from an initial group of 15 schools undertaking specialised training and sharing knowledge across the education system.
From next year, the project will be available to every public school in South Australia, forming part of broader efforts to strengthen early literacy support and ensure students at risk of dyslexia are identified and supported sooner.
Alongside the expansion, all public primary schools using the Department for Education’s phonics and spelling scope from Reception to Year 2 will gain access to reading intervention lessons. These lessons are designed to help teachers respond quickly when students show signs of difficulty with foundational reading skills, giving them additional support during critical early learning years.
The approach builds on a successful pilot delivered in 49 schools last year and works in tandem with phonics and spelling scope assessments already used across the system.
The Department has also partnered with not-for-profit learning support organisation SPELD SA to provide 25 decodable Reception texts to 135 schools. Development is now underway to expand the resource library for Year 1 and Year 2 students, helping reinforce structured literacy teaching in classrooms.
Early intervention remains a focus of the state’s Literacy Guarantee, with screening in Reception and Year 1, the Year 1 phonics check and formal assessments by department psychologists all playing a role in identifying students who may need extra support. Year 2 phonics screening will begin in Term 3 this year.
Specialist literacy coaches are also part of the rollout, with 28 educators working across primary and secondary schools to guide teachers in intervention strategies and inclusive practice. The Literacy Guarantee Unit is also collaborating with Flinders University to deliver workshops for pre-service teachers, embedding dyslexia awareness into teacher training pathways.
Education Minister Blair Boyer says “We are committed to removing as many barriers as we can to education, and ensuring our educators have the training and resources they need to support children with dyslexia is a key part of that.”
“If we get the supports right at the beginning of a child’s education, we provide them with the tools to be successful as they make their way through school.”
SPELD SA Chief Executive Officer Laura McLachlan says “This expansion is a significant step forward for students with dyslexia across South Australia.”
“When teachers are equipped with evidence-based training and high-quality resources, children can be identified early and supported effectively.”
“SPELD SA is proud to partner with the Department for Education to help ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive.”
For more on Literacy Guarantee, click here.
