Bright Solutions for Dyslexia

New This Month

• Champions On The Ice

• Opting Out of Retention
• Building An Empire
• Barton Certification
• Barton Bulletin

Champions on the Ice

By Lisa Gusimat Ramirez

Congratulations to figure skater Alysa Liu and the U.S. Men’s and Women’s Hockey Teams for their gold medal victories at the 2026 Winter Olympics. 

They didn’t just dominate the ice; they carried themselves with a humble spirit that defined the true meaning of Olympic greatness.

These victories may look like single shining moments, but they were built over years—early mornings, grueling practices, tough losses, and the decision to keep going when progress felt slow.

That kind of perseverance is not limited to the Olympics.

It is something we see in people with dyslexia.

Canadian ice dancer Piper Gilles knows this firsthand.

As a child, Piper struggled in school. Reading and writing were exhausting. While classmates moved ahead with ease, she often had to work twice as hard just to keep up. There were moments when she questioned herself. Moments when school felt discouraging and overwhelming.

But she did not quit.

Instead, those challenges built resilience.

Ice dancing demands precision. One small misstep can affect an entire routine. 

Athletes must recover instantly, stay focused, and trust their training.

The persistence Piper developed in the classroom — practicing difficult skills again and again — became one of her greatest strengths on the ice.

The world sees the Olympic medal. What it does not see are the years of structured training behind it.

The road to reading success is similar.

The Barton Reading & Spelling System is structured, cumulative, and systematic — just like Olympic training. Students master one skill before moving to the next. They practice until it becomes automatic. They build strong foundations.

Opting Out of Retention

Read This Before Agreeing to Retention

This is the time of year when schools start discussing which struggling students should repeat a grade.

When a child is falling far behind academically, repeating a year can sound like a reasonable solution.

But the reality is different. Repeating a grade — also called retention — is not the answer.

Here are the facts on retention:

• Most children do NOT catch up when held back
• Retention is one of the most powerful predictors of high school dropout
• Sixth grade students ranked grade retention as the most stressful life event — even more stressful than losing a parent or going blind!

What the Research Says

Decades of research, including a comprehensive meta-analysis of 19 studies (Jimerson, 2001) found significant negative effects of grade retention across academic achievement and social-emotional adjustment.

If a student is struggling because of dyslexia, another year of the same instruction is not the answer. They need the right type of instruction done with fidelity. With the right intervention, struggling readers can make meaningful progress—and move forward with confidence.

Video: Retention and Opting Out

Before signing any paperwork, watch Susan Barton's 8-minute video on why retention is ineffective and outlines the specific steps you can take right now.

Further Reading & Resources

To better understand the long-term impact of retention, explore the following:

• Links to Research on Retention
• Strategies to Challenge Retention

Building An Empire

How Barbara Corcoran turned $1,000 and skills forged by her dyslexia into a multi-million dollar empire

By Cheryl Dover

Barbara Corcoran may be one of the most successful investors on “Shark Tank,” but she spent her childhood feeling anything but “successful” due to the challenges of dyslexia. By turning those early obstacles into fuel for her ambition, she built a career that redefined the meaning of achievement.

Her accomplishments speak volumes:

• Founded The Corcoran Group, one of New York City’s most prominent residential brokerages, building it from a $1,000 loan into a multi-million-dollar firm.

• Investor and executive producer on ABC’s four-time Emmy-winning show Shark Tank, where she has invested in over 80 businesses and mentored entrepreneurs.

• Bestselling author, motivational speaker, syndicated columnist, television contributor, and podcast host—bringing real-world business insight to audiences beyond the Tank.

For years, she carried the painful belief that she simply wasn’t smart. Long before anyone saw her confidence on television or the success she would build in business, she struggled with self-doubt—something many students with dyslexia know all too well.

Over time, Corcoran came to better understand how she learns. She often credits her mother with helping her reframe those early reading struggles, focusing on her strengths—imagination, creativity, and the ability to problem-solve when schoolwork felt frustrating. 

Corcoran has described how her determination to succeed grew out of those early doubts. Rather than allowing setbacks to define her, she learned to use them as motivation.

Ultimately, Corcoran’s journey serves as a powerful blueprint for parents and students alike: a struggle with reading and spelling is never a measure of one’s intelligence or future potential.

Beginning Level

May 16, 2026

Advanced Level

March 21, 2026

Masters Level

None at this time

Barton Bulletin

30 New Graduates

Completing all 10 levels of the Barton Reading & Spelling System is a monumental achievement that requires incredible amounts of discipline, determination, and grit.

This January, we welcomed 30 new Barton graduates, bringing our total count to 3,785! We love seeing these success stories and celebrating the hard work it takes to reach the finish line.

If you would like your student to receive a signed certificate from Susan Barton for completing all 10 levels, complete the Certificate Request Form here, or send an email to Susan@BartonReading.com with the following information: 

• Student's Name (as it should appear on the certificate)

• Date of Completion

• Mailing Address

Certificates are mailed once a month. Please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.

Dyslexia Expert

Mon to Fri:  8:00 AM to 5:00 PM PT

Weekends:  Closed