"The best way to advocate for a child with dyslexia is to be so well-trained and informed that no one can (or wants to) argue with you."— Dr. Kelli Sandman-Hurley.
- Heidi Gregory
- Mar 19
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 11
A Decade of Advocacy: The Fight for Change Continues
For the past decade, I have led Dyslexia Victoria Support (DVS), the group I founded, which has been at the forefront of parent advocacy in Victoria, challenging systemic failures in literacy education. As a team, we have worked tirelessly to push for evidence-based literacy instruction, ensuring parents have a voice in a system that too often resists change. However, DVS is not an island—real progress happens when parents, educators, researchers, and policymakers work together.
The Rise and Fall of Failed Approaches
I have seen the rise and fall of Balanced Literacy and Reading Recovery in schools across Victoria. I have sat with families who were told their struggling reader just needed more exposure to books or to guess the word using the pictures. I have seen real progress, but I have also seen parents blamed for their child's reading difficulties—accused of not reading enough bedtime stories, of being too anxious, or even of not feeding their child enough vegetables. In one case, a mother was even blamed for her divorce as the reason her child could not read.
Real Progress, Real Change
Despite the challenges, we have seen significant wins. Schools that once resisted Systematic Synthetic Phonics (SSP) and Explicit Teaching (ET) are now implementing these essential approaches. The Department of Education has ceased the practice of supplying new schools with Fountas and Pinnell, a major step in removing outdated literacy instruction. Teachers are beginning to demand better training, and parents are more informed than ever before.
DVS has played a key role in driving this change, but we have not done it alone. Advocacy is a collective effort. I have been advocating for my children, now 18 and 21, since they were eight years old, across both the public and private school systems. Alongside other dedicated advocates, we have worked through the parliamentary process, being asked to participate as a witness in the Legislative Assembly for the State of Victoria. We have pushed for an effective EOI, which was tabled by Sonja Terpstra MP (North-Eastern Metropolitan) with 1915 signatures. This initiative will be introduced in June 2025—a huge step forward for literacy education.
Dyslexia Victoria Support has been featured in mainstream media, books, and academic discussions, amplifying the voices of parents. I have represented DVS across multiple media platforms, discussing the impact of parent advocacy. I have also been featured in Dr. Pamela Snow’s blog, The Snow Report. I will do another journal entry featuring my "Letter to my Son". We have fought for equity and social justice in literacy education, ensuring parents have the resources and support they need.
A Community That Drives Change
DVS is a parent-run, community-driven organisation, supported by a dedicated team of advocates committed to lasting change in literacy education. We are highly regarded among academics, politicians, schools, teachers, parents, and allied health professionals. Change does not happen in isolation—it takes a collaborative effort.
Through the generosity of our supporters and teamwork, we have: Donated hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of resources, including apps, books, and educational tools. Contributed countless hours of volunteer time to support families and schools. Led petitions to remove Reading Recovery from schools and worked with stakeholders to eliminate outdated information from the Department of Education and school websites.
DVS is a safe and moderated space, run entirely by volunteers who provide support, information, and advocacy. While we address systemic failures, we also acknowledge the dedication of many educators who are working towards better literacy outcomes. Advocating for change is about holding the system accountable, not about criticising individual teachers. Every child deserves access to evidence-based instruction, and educators need the right training and support to deliver it effectively.
What’s Next?
In 2025, the Minister for Education, Ben Carroll, has mandated SSP and ET across Victorian Government schools by 2027, here followed by maths reform in 2025 here. This is a long-overdue reform, but implementation is key. The question is: how do we ensure it is done effectively?
Key Questions:
Are schools preparing for this change now?
Are teachers receiving the training they need?
Are struggling readers getting the right interventions, or are they being told to wait?
Waiting is not an option. We don’t have another decade to waste.
For a decade, DVS has stood with parents, demanding effective instruction and support for all children struggling with literacy. Some schools are embracing change, while others lag behind. We must keep pushing forward.
Change is happening—but not fast enough for the kids who needed it yesterday. As I reflect on this journey, I take comfort in knowing that this advocacy will continue, led by the incredible community that has grown around DVS.
If there is one thing I know for certain, it’s this: parents will continue to drive change. But they won’t do it alone—it takes a team effort.
Further Reading on Parent Advocacy
Additional Resources on Parent Blame
For more insights into the power of parent advocacy and the challenges of parent blame, explore these blog posts on Dr. Pamela Snow's blog page:
Calling time on parent-blame and children's reading success, Pamela Snow
Dear Parents: Welcome to the Confusing World of Reading Instruction, Pamela Snow
Guest Post: A Letter to My Son written by Heidi Gregory
Further Reading on Parent Advocacy
Submissions written by Dyslexia Victoria Support
2024
Committee Final Report – Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee, Inquiry into the State Education System in Victoria (Melbourne, October 2024) Read here
Transcript – Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee, Inquiry into the State Education System in Victoria (Melbourne, 12 June 2024) – Matlock and Gregory Read here
2023
2020
Submission to the 2020 Review – Disability Standards for Education 2005 (‘The Standards’) Read here
2019
For booking services, please click here
To connect to Dyslexia Victoria Support click here.
