Listen Again: Dr. Brennan Chandler

The Dyslexia Duo: Bridging Research and Practice in Dyslexia - Intensive Intervention, Spelling, and Data-Based Individualization (with Dr. Brennan Chandler)

Melissa Dean and Aimee Rodenroth of the Dyslexia Duo interview Dr. Brennan Chandler, assistant professor of dyslexia at Georgia State University, about his path from classroom teaching to researching intensive reading interventions and training educators. Dr. Chandler emphasizes bridging research and classroom practice through explicit instruction in language structure (phonology, orthography, morphology, syntax), stronger attention to writing and spelling, and empowering teachers to use data for decision-making. He highlights misconceptions that older struggling readers only need more K–2 phonics and that accommodations alone replace remediation, arguing adolescents need qualitatively different instruction including flexible vowel “flexing,” morphology, and connected “stretch” text practice. He explains diagnostic versus progress-monitoring data, outlines data-based individualization to intensify validated interventions, shares research showing spelling supports durable learning, and describes developing an open-source grades 1–3 spelling intervention, Spell Squad.

00:36 Introducing Dr Chandler 01:41 From Classroom to Research 04:19 Why Spelling Matters 04:57 Rethinking Teacher Training 08:45 Bridging Research and Practice 12:21 Misconceptions About Dyslexia 15:58 Older Students Need Different 19:05 Flexing Vowels Strategy 22:00 Morphology and Stretch Text 28:13 Spelling Research Deep Dive 33:02 Spelling Beats Reading Practice 36:44 Spelling Builds Memory 37:24 Handwriting and Gamified Practice 40:29 DBI for Non Responders 46:54 What Data to Collect 50:26 Adolescent Assessment Focus 53:20 Fixing Teacher Prep 59:53 Key Takeaways for All 01:02:25 Spell Squad Preview 01:04:57 Lightning Round and Farewell