Author
Patricia Louise O. Escolar*
Cebu Technological University – Main Campus, Cebu City, Philippines
Abstract
This study determined the elementary teacher’s knowledge about dyslexia, preparedness to apply the Science of Reading, and self-efficacy in teaching reading to learners with diverse needs in a private school for the school year 2025–2026. A quantitative descriptive-correlational research design was employed, using standardized survey questionnaires to collect data on teachers’ knowledge, preparedness, and self-efficacy. Purposive sampling was applied, involving 33 teachers who were directly engaged in reading instruction. Data were analyzed through frequency, percentage, weighted mean, standard deviation, ranking, and Pearson correlation. Findings showed that most teachers were female, aged 24–30, held bachelor’s degrees with some master’s units, and had one to ten years of teaching experience. They mainly taught Grades 1–3 and had attended inclusive education seminars, though literacy-related reading exposure was limited. Teachers displayed high knowledge of dyslexia and readiness to apply evidence-based reading strategies, with strong confidence in teaching reading, while some reported lower efficacy with struggling readers. A weak but significant positive relationship existed between knowledge and preparedness, whereas no significant correlation was found between knowledge and self-efficacy. The study concluded that teacher knowledge, preparedness, and self-efficacy are critical for supporting learners with diverse needs. It recommended continuous professional development and a targeted intervention plan to strengthen teachers’ skills, confidence, and inclusive reading practices.
Keywords: Special education, dyslexia, teacher knowledge, teacher self-efficacy, science of reading, inclusive education, teachers’ preparedness, reading instruction, descriptive-correlational, Cebu City.
*Corresponding author / Email: escolar.patricialouise@gmail.com
DOI: http://doi.org/10.69651/PIJHSS05031271
Recommended citation:
Escolar, P. L. O. (2026). Addressing knowledge on dyslexia, teachers’ efficacy and readiness to apply the science of reading among elementary teachers in a private school. Pantao (International Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences) 5 (3), 318-353. http://doi.org/10.69651/PIJHSS05031271
Read the full text
References
Acheampong, E., Yeboah, M., Anokye, R., Adusei, A. K., Naadutey, A., & Afful, B. F. (2019). Knowledge of basic school teachers on identification and support services for children with dyslexia. Journal of Indian Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 15(2), 86–101. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0973134220190206
Alkhadim, G. S. (2022). Motivating student with dyslexia: The debilitating effects of normative performance goals on their physiological arousal. Frontiers in Education, 7, Article 882164. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.882164
Almeda San Jose, M. Z. (2022). A narrative analysis of the experiences of teachers with disabilities in the Philippines. https://ddd.uab.cat/record/269381
Anderson, A. (2021). Advancing school professionals’ dyslexia knowledge through neuroscience: Bridging the science-education gap through developmental psychology. Frontiers in Education, 5, Article 615791. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2020.615791
Anuradha, D. (2022). A study on the challenges faced by dyslexic children. Journal of Pharmaceutical Negative Results, 13(S5). https://imcra-az.org/uploads/public_files/2022-05/39.pdf
Artuso, C., Borgatti, R., & Palladino, P. (2021). Phonological memory updating and developmental dyslexia: The role of long-term knowledge. Child Neuropsychology, 27(6), 718–733. https://tinyurl.com/2kzsupn4
Austin, C. R., Vaughn, S., Clemens, N. H., Pustejovsky, J. E., & Boucher, A. N. (2022). The relative effects of instruction linking word reading and word meaning compared to word reading instruction alone. Scientific Studies of Reading, 26(3), 204–222. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9645783/
Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. W. H. Freeman and Company. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1997-08589-000
Banfi, C., Koschutnig, K., Moll, K., Schulte-Körne, G., Fink, A., & Landerl, K. (2021). Reading-related functional activity in children with isolated spelling deficits and dyslexia. Language, Cognition and Neuroscience, 36(5), 543–561. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23273798.2020.1859569
Boyes, M. E., Leitão, S., Claessen, M., Badcock, N. A., & Nayton, M. (2020). Correlates of externalising and internalising problems in children with dyslexia. Australian Psychologist, 55(1), 62–72. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1111/ap.12409
Butcher, J. (2017). Citizenship, global citizenship and volunteer tourism: A critical analysis. Tourism Recreation Research, 42(2), 129–138. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02508281.2017.1295172
Carey, L. B., Stephan, C., & Pritchard, A. E. (2019). Preparing students for competent use of academic testing accommodations: Teachers’ belief, knowledge, and practice. Learning Disabilities: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 24(1), 33-42. https://tinyurl.com/2r363zrh
Cariño, M. O., & Bailey, R. R. (2024). Knowledge, attitudes and interaction on dyslexia among selected Filipino public school teachers. Journal of Research, Policy & Practice of Teachers and Teacher Education, 14(1), 37–45. https://doi.org/10.37134/jrpptte.vol14.1.5.2024
Chiu, I. M. C., Sy, M. P., Oruga, M. D., & Bonito, S. (2023). Children with special needs and their access to rehabilitation services in the Philippines: A Q methodology study on perceived barriers by family members. Public Health Challenges, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.1002/puh2.79
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2018). Research methods in education (8th ed.). Routledge. https://scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid=3026028
Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD). (2023, March). FF2023-17: Special Education (SPED) profile in the Philippines. House of Representatives, Congress of the Philippines. https://tinyurl.com/3333zw7y
Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications. https://tinyurl.com/4tenpsed
Daley, P. (2020). Experiences of primary education teachers identifying and providing interventions for students with dyslexia (Publication No. 27830016) [Doctoral dissertation, Capella University]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global. https://tinyurl.com/4mkre343
Etikan, I., Musa, S. A., & Alkassim, R. S. (2016). Comparison of convenience sampling and purposive sampling. American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Statistics, 5(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajtas.20160501.11
Flynn, N., Powell, D., Stainthorp, R., & Stuart, M. (2021). Training teachers for phonics and early reading: Developing research-informed practice. Journal of Research in Reading, 44(2), 301-318. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1467-9817.12336
Fraenkel, J. R., Wallen, N. E., & Hyun, H. H. (2012). How to design and evaluate research in education (8th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. https://www.scirp.org/reference/ReferencesPapers?ReferenceID=1046940
Garcia, R. G. V., Mosen, J., & Bustos, M. T. A. P. (2025). How the science of learning can strengthen inclusive literacy instruction in the Philippines. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 71(6), 896–918. https://tinyurl.com/mpb2e2a7
Gay, L. R., Mills, G. E., & Airasian, P. (2012). Educational research: Competencies for analysis and applications (10th ed.). Pearson. https://tinyurl.com/5c4xm8w4
Georgiou, G. K., Martinez, D., Vieira, A. P. A., Antoniuk, A., Romero, S., & Guo, K. (2022). A meta-analytic review of comprehension deficits in students with dyslexia. Annals of Dyslexia, 72(2), 204–248. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11881-021-00244-y
Gepila Jr, E. C., Macalalad, J. S. S., Requiron Jr, E. M., Balisado, J. C. F., & Rosales, M. J. D. (2022). Contextualizing Davis Dyslexia Correction Program to Filipino youth dyslexics. International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education, 14(5). https://tinyurl.com/68fzbr5c
Gharaibeh, M., & Dukmak, S. (2022). Effect of computer-based multisensory program on English reading skills of student with dyslexia and reading difficulties. Applied Neuropsychology: Child, 11(4), 504–517. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2021-34160-001
Gibbs, S. J., & Elliott, J. G. (2020). The dyslexia debate: Life without the label. Oxford Review of Education, 46(4), 487–500. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/03054985.2020.1747419
Gibby-Leversuch, R., Hartwell, B. K., & Wright, S. (2021). Dyslexia, literacy difficulties and the self-perceptions of children and young people: A systematic review. Current Psychology, 40(11), 5595–5612. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-019-00444-1
Gran Ekstrand, A. C., Nilsson Benfatto, M., & Öqvist Seimyr, G. (2021). Screening for reading difficulties: Comparing eye tracking outcomes to neuropsychological assessments. Frontiers in Education, 6, Article 643232. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2021.643232
Gump, H. M. (2024). Teacher preparation and perceptions on readiness to address the science of reading. https://tinyurl.com/bdhjny82
Gwernan-Jones, R., & Burden, R. L. (2010). Are they just lazy? Student teachers’ attitudes about dyslexia. Dyslexia, 16(1), 66-86. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/dys.393
Husen, A., Casmana, A. R., Hasan, R. O., & Erfinda, Y. (2022). Implementation of teaching character education, particularly in environmental care value, in Labschool Jakarta. Journal of Social Studies Education Research, 13(2), 225–249. https://www.learntechlib.org/d/223005/
International Dyslexia Association. (2020). Structured literacy and dyslexia interventions. https://tinyurl.com/2s44xaye
Jusufi, Q. (2014). Dyslexia awareness and discriminatory potential: Perceptions of dyslexia among teachers in primary schools in Prishtina [Master’s thesis, Linnaeus University]. Linneuniversitetet. https://tinyurl.com/2534ufyk
Kadir, A. B., & Jabbar, J. B. (2023). Special needs teachers’ attitude and practices with dyslexic children. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 12(2), 1049–1062. https://tinyurl.com/mubebehn
Layes, S., Lalonde, R., & Rebai, M. (2021a). Reading-related abilities underlying phonological awareness: A cross-sectional study in children with and without dyslexia. Logopedics Phoniatrics Vocology, 46(2), 110–117. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32508178/
Layes, S., Lalonde, R., & Rebai, M. (2021b). Visuo-spatial abilities and phonological awareness as predictors of reading accuracy in Arabic children with and without dyslexia. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 71(1), 1–17. https://eric.ed.gov/?q=robert&ff1=eduGrade+5&id=EJ1396724
Lazzaro, G., Costanzo, F., Varuzza, C., Rossi, S., de Matteis, M. E., Vicari, S., & Caltagirone, C. (2021). Individual differences modulate the effects of tDCS on reading in children and adolescents with dyslexia. Scientific Studies of Reading, 25(6), 470–485. https://tinyurl.com/43rz6xnb
Lodhi, S. K., Thaver, D., Akhtar, I. N., Javaid, H., Masoor, M., Bano, S., Malik, F. N., Iqbal, M. R., Hashmi, H. R., Siddiqullah, S., & Saleem, S. (2016). Assessing the knowledge, attitudes and practices of school teachers regarding dyslexia, ADHD, and ASD in Karachi, Pakistan. Journal of Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad, 28(1), 99–104. https://ayubmed.edu.pk/jamc/index.php/jamc/article/view/247
Makgato, M. M., Leseyane-Kgari, M., Cekiso, M., Mandende, I. P., & Masha, R. (2022). Evaluating the awareness and knowledge of dyslexia among primary school teachers in Tshwane District, South Africa. African Journal of Disability, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.4102/ajod.v11i0.807
Manalaysay, J. A. (2021). Public special education center: Developmental inculcation of love for creating knowledge among learners with special needs. Academic Research International, 5(5), 28–37. https://tinyurl.com/ykk2vrey
Morrison, A., & Stapleford, S. (n.d.). Dyslexia (and other learning disabilities): Recommendations for teachers. School of Education UDEL. https://www.education.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Dyslexia.pdf
Palser, E. R., Miller, Z. A., Licata, A. E., Yabut, N. A., Sudarsan, S. P., Tee, B. L., & Wise, M. K. (2022). Visual and social differences in dyslexia: Deep phenotyping of four cases with spared phonology. Neurocase, 28(5), 419–431. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9957930/
Parey, B., Meehan, M., & Davis, S. (2013). The dyslexia-friendly teacher’s toolkit. SAGE Publications Ltd. https://tinyurl.com/328wwpdn
Peter, B., Albert, A., & Gray, S. (2021a). Spelling errors reveal underlying sequential and spatial processing deficits in adults with dyslexia. Clinical Linguistics & Phonetics, 35(4), 310–339. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32552235/
Peter, B., Albert, A., Panagiotides, H., & Gray, S. (2021b). Sequential and spatial letter reversals in adults with dyslexia during a word comparison task. Clinical Linguistics & Phonetics, 35(4), 340–367. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31959003/
Planipolis. (n.d.). Philippine education for all 2015: Implementation and challenges. UNESCO. https://tinyurl.com/3vhvttsc
Prasetiyo, W. H., Ishak, N. A., Basit, A., Dewantara, J. A., Hidayat, O. T., Casmana, A. R., & Sarkadi, S. (2020). Caring for the environment in an inclusive school: The Adiwiyata green school program in Indonesia. Issues in Educational Research, 30(3), 1040–1057. https://search.informit.org/doi/abs/10.3316/informit.465358475799997
Quercia, P., Pozzo, T., Marino, A., Guillemant, A. L., Cappe, C., & Gueugneau, N. (2020). Children with dyslexia have altered cross-modal processing linked to binocular fusion. Clinical Ophthalmology, 14, 437–448. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2147/OPTH.S226690
Rachmawati, N., Supena, A., Yufiarti, Y., Yarmi, G., & Casmana, A. R. (2022). Analysis of hybrid learning for student with learning disabilities in primary schools providing inclusive education. The Qualitative Report, 27(10), 2841–2858. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/tqr/vol27/iss10/8/
Republic of the Philippines. (2001, August 11). Republic Act No. 9155. Official Gazette. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2001/08/11/republic-act-no-9155/
Saifur Ridzal, D., Mu’alimin, & Usriyah, L. (2023). The influence of dyslexia on children’s psychological development. Journal of Social Research, 2(8). https://ijsr.internationaljournallabs.com/index.php/ijsr/article/view/1247
San Jose, A. E. (2012). Linguistic experiences of adult dyslexic learners. UIC Research Journals, 18(1). https://tinyurl.com/52chdkku
Sarkadi, Casmana, A. R., Hisyam, C. J., & Wardatussa’idah, I. (2022). Integrating character education into the RECE learning model through Pancasila and citizenship education subjects. Frontiers in Education, 7, Article 841037. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.841037
Sarkadi, S., Casmana, A. R., Cahyana, U., & Paristiowati, M. (2020). The application of mobile learning for university student in the Pancasila education module in developing character of student. Empirical University Journal of Educational Research, 8(2), 3825–3833. https://elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=77237006
Shaywitz, B. A., & Shaywitz, S. E. (2020). The American experience: Towards a 21st century definition of dyslexia. Oxford Review of Education, 46(4), 454–471. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1265161
Shetty, A., & Rai, B. S. (2014). Awareness and knowledge of dyslexia among elementary school teachers in India. Journal of Medical Science and Clinical Research, 2(5), 1135–1143. https://tinyurl.com/5d838uu3
Singgih, M., Sudarso, H., Mujib, A., & Nurmala, I. (2024). Dyslexia in elementary school children: A systematic literature review from a psycholinguistic perspective. Journal of Innovation and Research in Primary Education, 1(2), 108–117. https://ejournal.papanda.org/index.php/jirpe/article/view/1631
Smyrnakis, I., Papageorgiou, A., Miliaraki, E., & Golia, S. (2016). RADAR: A novel fast-screening method for reading difficulties with special focus on dyslexia. PLoS ONE, 11(11), Article e0166904. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0182597
Soriano-Ferrer, M., & Echegaray-Bengoa, J. A. (2014). A scale of knowledge and beliefs about developmental dyslexia: Scale development and validation. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 132, 203-208. https://tinyurl.com/275yn26k
Stair, R. M., & Reynolds, G. W. (2017). Principles of information systems (13th ed.). Cengage Learning. https://tinyurl.com/374xfuu4
Szymanski, J. R. (2024). The predictive relationship between teachers’ knowledge of dyslexia and their confidence in supporting students with dyslexia [Unpublished manuscript]. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/5207/
Szabo, S. M., & Mokhtari, K. (2004). Developing a reading teaching efficacy instrument for teacher candidates: A validation study. Action in Teacher Education, 26(3), 59-72. https://doi.org/10.1080/01626620.2004.10463333
The Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity. (n.d.). What is dyslexia? https://dyslexia.yale.edu/dyslexia/what-is-dyslexia/
Thwalaa, S. K., Ugwuanyi, C. S., Okeke, C. I. O., Gamad, N. N., & Thewala, A. (2020). Teachers’ experiences with dyslexic learners in mainstream classrooms: Implications for teacher education. International Journal of Higher Education, 9(6), 34–43. https://doi.org/10.5430/ijhe.v9n6p34
Toquero, C. M. D. (2021). ‘Sana all’ inclusive education amid COVID-19: Challenges, strategies, and prospects of special education teachers. International and Multidisciplinary Journal of Social Sciences, 10(1), 30–51. https://doi.org/10.17583/rimcis.2020.6316
Tosun, D., Arıkan, S., & Babür, N. (2021). Teachers’ knowledge and perception about dyslexia: Developing and validating a scale. International Journal of Assessment Tools in Education, 8(2), 342–356. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1303938.pdf
Vender, M., & Delfitto, D. (2025). Bridging the gap in adult dyslexia research: Assessing the efficacy of a linguistic intervention on literacy skills. Annals of Dyslexia, 75(1), 42–70. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11881-024-00314-x
Zhang, W., Zhang, L., Liu, L., & Zhang, S. (2021). Improving orthographic awareness and reading fluency in Chinese children with dyslexia: A case study. Reading and Writing Quarterly, 37(1), 1–16. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2020-96826-001