President Obama signed the READ Act, which supports important research to further our understanding of dyslexia, including better methods for early detection and teacher training.
Reading, more neuroscience than rocket science; or what the telescope and brain-imaging have in common.
Article out of Massachusetts on the neurobiological existence of dyslexia and the importance of appropriate instruction.
No Child Left Behind Comes to an End With the Passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act
Every Student Succeeds Act Passes: How the “Every Student Succeeds Act” will actually be implemented is yet to be seen. This article provides a quick overview and mentions two aspects that are definitely of interest to those in the reading/dyslexia community:
Comprehensive Literacy Center: The new law calls for the creation of a national center that focuses on reading issues for kids with disabilities. That includes dyslexia. The center will be a clearinghouse for information for parents and teachers.
Literacy Education Grant Program: The law authorizes Congress to give up to $160 million in literacy grants to states and schools. The grants will fund instruction on key reading skills, such as phonological awareness and decoding.
Parent-Driven Group Wields Influence on Dyslexia Concerns
An article about the national grassroots organization, Decoding Dyslexia.
California Kids With Dyslexia To Get More Educational Support
“Now a new state law requires schools to consider phonological processing when evaluating a child for special education. Tobie Meyer is with Decoding Dyslexia California. She led the effort to pass the law after she ran into resistance while trying to get educational help for her son’s dyslexia.”
Dyslexia requires early intervention, say UCD researchers
“The data indicate that it is no longer acceptable to wait until a child is in third grade or later before undertaking efforts to identify or address dyslexia.”
U.S. Department of Education Encourages Schools to Use the Terms “Dyslexia,” “Dysgraphia” and “Dyscalculia” in IEPs
Article about the recent “Dear Colleague Letter” on understood.org.
US Department of Education – Dear Colleague Letter
Very important “Dear Colleague” letter out of Washington, clarifying that dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia may be written on IEPs and encouraging schools to use these terms so as to ensure effective and appropriate education of students with such disabilities.
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan Issues Statement on Learning Disabilities; Dyslexia; and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Awareness Month
Later this month, the Department of Education “will release information that will assist states and local school districts in recognizing the unique needs of students with learning disabilities—such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia.”
Cassidy, Mikulski Introduce Dyslexia Resolution
For the first time ever, October is NATIONAL Dyslexia Awareness Month.
Chairman Smith Gives Opening Statement at READ Act Hearing
Listen to this 5 minutes video to become familiar with the national attention that dyslexia is receiving!
Letter from Sally Shaywitz of the Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity in Support of H.R. 3033
The letter Sally Shaywitz wrote in support of the READ Act.
Decoding Drake’s Dream
A look at the school that Charles Drake, Ed.D.’70, started more than four decades ago to help students who were like him: struggling with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities.
DYSLEXIA IN THE NEWS: IDA and Others Champion School Change
A summary article about some of efforts and events happening during 2015 to increase awareness about dyslexia nationwide.
New law requires schools to screen students early for dyslexia (Oregon)
“Two bills passed during the 2015 Oregon legislative session should help. Senate Bill 612 calls for at least one teacher in every K-5 school to be trained in teaching and identifying dyslexia; to screen all kindergartners and first-graders for dyslexia; and to designate a dyslexia specialist at the Oregon Department of Education.
House Bill 2412 directs the state Teacher Standards and Practices Commission to ensure that the 20 early childhood education programs in the state incorporate dyslexia training into their college curriculum.”