“Don’t feel down about yourself,” Guy said. “Always keep your head up. You are going through something most people don’t have to and it will make you stronger.”
News & Articles
Video: New England Patriot Lawrence Guy on Overcoming Stigma and Being Your Best
From Understood.org – a video on New England Patriot, Lawrence Guy.
How dyslexia affects children and adults and what can be done
Dyslexia Training Institute’s Tracy Block-Zaretsky was a guest on Good Morning San Diego to speak about Gov. Newsom’s screening plans.
Newsom’s struggles with dyslexia prompt a ‘very personal’ quest to fund early screening
California’s Governor, Gavin Newsom, has been an advocate for early screening and identification for years. Wishing him much success in his new role!
EXCERPT: Gov. Gavin Newsom’s lifelong struggle with dyslexia makes his proposal to screen little kids for developmental disorders a personal mission. California’s new governor wasn’t diagnosed with the reading disability until he was in the fifth grade.
Cassidy Announces Dyslexia Screening Provision Included in New Criminal Justice Reform Bill
Important advocacy work happening at the national level!
EXCERPT: The First Step Act will formally define dyslexia as “an unexpected difficulty in reading for an individual who has the intelligence to be a much better reader, most commonly caused by a difficulty in the phonological processing (the appreciation of the individual sounds of spoken language), which affects the ability of an individual to speak, read, and spell.” The bill requires the U.S. attorney general to incorporate an evidence-based, low-cost, readily available dyslexia screening program into the new risk and needs assessment system, including by screening for dyslexia during the prisoner intake process and each periodic risk reassessment of a prisoner. It also requires the U.S. attorney general to incorporate dyslexia treatment programs into recidivism reduction programs.
A study found that 80 percent of prison inmates at the state prison in Huntsville, Texas, were functionally illiterate and 48 percent were dyslexic.
The Benefits of Ear-Reading
If you are in the Park City School District and have a child that would benefit from ear-reading, please speak to the school. This is the second year of a district-wide subscription to Learning Ally and, having advocated for the program, PC READS wants to ensure that it’s successful! A special thanks to the Park City Education Foundation for funding the original Learning Ally school grant at Parley’s Park several years ago.
EXCERPT: The effective use of assistive technology coupled with an explicit structured literacy curriculum can be life-changing for students with learning differences. Try one of these tools to see if your students will come out of their shell. Give them the freedom to choose what topics they want to learn about and watch the transformation in their self-belief that they can be successful readers and achievers.
Why Are We Still Teaching Reading the Wrong Way?
This article is based upon author Emily Hanford’s audio documentary for APM Reports, “Hard Words: Why Aren’t Kids Being Taught to Read?”
Excerpt: “There is no excuse for this. Colleges of education have to start requiring that their faculties teach the science of reading. Children’s futures depend on it.”
Thank you to our PCSD K-3 teachers who are putting the science of reading back into the classrooms through Wilson Fundations!
Early identification of dyslexia can make a significant difference in a child’s reading development, confidence, and overall academic success. What signs are indicators of dyslexia? What are the social and emotional impacts? What can be done to help a child with dyslexia? This article from the Child Mind Institute provides answers to these and other important questions for parents of young children who are struggling with reading. (Shared on Facebook by Park City Education Foundation)
A Positive View of Dyslexia | Reading is for Everyone
In this video made by Reading Horizons, Jefferson, a high school student with dyslexia, speaks about overcoming his reading difficulties and mentoring other students with similar struggles.
Hard Words: Why aren’t kids being taught to read?
What can you do over the UEA break? PLEASE take the time to read or listen to this article & the follow-up we will post, too. PC READS advocated for changes to our PCSD elementary reading curriculum for several years based upon the science of reading & is proud to be a partner on the initiative that brought Wilson Fundations to our classrooms! And, our Professional Development Grants are supporting educators as they learn more about the science of reading.
A FEW EXCERPTS FROM THE ARTICLE:
By some estimates, one-third of America’s struggling readers are from college-educated families.
But without explicit and systematic phonics instruction, many children won’t ever learn to read very well.
“There are thousands of studies,” said Louisa Moats, an education consultant and researcher who has been teaching and studying reading since the 1970s. “This is the most studied aspect of human learning.”
There is no debate at this point among scientists that reading is a skill that needs to be explicitly taught by showing children the ways that sounds and letters correspond. “It’s so accepted in the scientific world that if you just write another paper about these fundamental facts and submit it to a journal they won’t accept it because it’s considered settled science,” Moats said.
You can find schools and school districts across the United States that are trying to change reading instruction the way Bethlehem has, but according to Moats, ill-informed, ineffective reading instruction is the norm. “The gap between science-based ideas and practices and those most often used in our classrooms remains very wide and persistent,” she wrote in a recent article.
Park City School District Updates Literacy Plan in Response to State Legislature
Check out the article in today’s Park Record! We are proud to be a collaborating partner in the Dyslexia Initiative which brought Wilson Fundations to the PCSD. A special thanks to Ty and Karen Hall for their support of this initiative through PCEF. Change is never easy and it takes time, but this change is making a difference. #elevatingliteracy
“In an assessment from the Park City Education Foundation, 90 percent of teachers said Fundations has worked in their classroom. Teachers also reported having more confidence in identifying struggling readers and helping readers of all abilities reach their goals.”
Dyslexia Awareness Events Begin October 1: Dean Braggonier Speaks At PCHS
Thank you KPCW Radio for this informative recap of our interview earlier this week – we are very excited for Dean Bragonier’s presentation on Monday, October 1st!
PC READS Event Will Focus on the Positive Side of Dyslexia
MONDAY, OCTOBER 1st – 6:30 pm at the PCHS Lecture Hall
EXCERPT: He said his presentation will focus on the work of neurologists Brock and Fernette Eide, authors of the book “The Dyslexic Advantage.” Their studies discovered that people with dyslexia tend to be better at particular skills, such as spatial reasoning and creativity. Because of these abilities, dyslexic people generally excel in certain careers over others, Bragonier said.
“We can make young dyslexics aware of what these attributes look like, so that they can understand not only what makes their brain so effective, but more importantly, to understand that reading, while difficult, is not the major theme or commentary of their intelligence,” he said. “It’s just one aspect of learning that we do poorly at, but we’ve got these very significant advantages.”
Colorado’s Dyslexic Students Face Systemic Challenges—If They Can Even Get A Diagnosis
Change is needed and happening throughout the nation. This article focuses on our neighboring state of Colorado. Our advocacy efforts have brought positive and critical changes to the Park City School District and we are continuing to advocate to ensure that struggling readers, including those identified as dyslexic, receive early, effective intervention.
EXCERPT: “Despite the stakes for students with dyslexia, their fate is often left to the luck of the draw. The lucky few attend a school with a specialist who understands the type of instruction dyslexic children need. The vast majority do not, and go undiagnosed until a parent eventually pays the thousands of dollars for a private screening.
This waiting period can wreak havoc. Early identification is key: one study showed 90 percent of children can eventually be reading on grade level if they get help by first grade. But if they don’t receive assistance until age 9 or later, 75 percent will struggle throughout their entire school careers.”
The Couple Who Helped Decode Dyslexia
A heartfelt thank you to Sally and Bennett Shaywitz for their continued passion to study and understand “our” children!
How to Prove Others Wrong | Jonathan Mooney | Goalcast
It begins, “I struggled in school…”
This video by Jonathan Mooney has been making the internet rounds. If you haven’t seen it, take 5 minutes to watch it today. Jonathan is also the author of The Short Bus – A Journey Beyond Normal.
iPad/iPhone – Speak Selected and Speak Page – Text to Speech
This short video demonstrates how to access the text to speech features on an iPad or iPhone.
The Hard Part About Reading Instruction
“For school and district leaders, the hard part about reading instruction is leading a highly effective implementation and sticking to the plan long enough for the work to have a meaningful impact.” Thanks to all the PCSD educators who have implemented Wilson programs in our school district!
Dyslexia in Our Schools
May 20, 2019
PC READS hosted about 40 parents and educators for this evening presentation featuring an overview of the new Utah State Dyslexia Handbook, released in Fall 2018. Members of the Utah State Dyslexia Task Force, which helped draft the Handbook, followed their presentation with a Q&A Session. Thanks to the support of The Hall Family Fund, all attendees received a copy of the Handbook.
Learning Ally Spotlight on Dyslexia Virtual Conference
College of Education Now Prepares Teachers in the Science of Reading
Great video from Education Week about the importance of ensuring that teachers understand the science of reading, including links to additional reading. “By 2021, every elementary and special education teacher in the state of Arkansas must be proficient in brain-based research on reading.”
Soaring with Dyslexia | Reading is for Everyone
A video by Reading Horizons featuring Curtis Pons, who did not realized he was dyslexic until his son was diagnosed. “It wasn’t until he was 49 that Curtis discovered that Dyslexia was the reason behind his life long struggle with reading. This is his story.”
Dyslexia Awareness Part 1: Module 1 – About Dyslexia
From Made By Dyslexia
“Anything you need to do to support a dyslexic child is great teaching practice for all children.”
SUMMARY PROVIDED: Dyslexia Awareness Part 1: About Dyslexia – Celebrities including Sir Richard Branson, Keira Knightley, Orlando Bloom and Maggie Aderin-Pocock join expert teachers from two world leading dyslexia schools to share their wisdom and expertise in these inspirational Dyslexia Awareness Training films produced by Made By Dyslexia. Millfield School UK and Schenck School USA are both pioneers in the field of dyslexia and the first schools in their respective countries to successfully support dyslexic students and focus on dyslexic strengths. These films have been incorporated into 5 Dyslexia Awareness Training modules designed to help teachers, educators and parents understand dyslexia, both its strengths and challenges, gain essential knowledge in how to recognise and support it, and create a dyslexia inclusive classroom.
Should Elementary Teachers Learn How To Teach Reading or Just Wing It?
Interesting, short read giving an overview of how the debate over teaching phonics became a civil rights issue.
EXCERPT: Phonics instruction was a civil rights issue — beyond theory, research, and the scientific method. Just about every pedagogical strategy was lined up politically in the following decade. Also identified as “conservative” were a specified curriculum, direct teaching, assigned expository writing based on reading, assigned literary texts (especially if they were by dead white males), grammar study, specific writing skills, and indeed, anything requiring a teacher’s judgment. Ironically, strategies damned as “conservative” tended to be supported by research as useful for low-income children.
Why Millions Of Kids Can’t Read And What Better Teaching Can Do About It
Emily Hanford, Senior Correspondent for APM Reports, highlights how the science of reading is being taught to teachers in Bethlehem, PA.
“The Bethlehem district has invested approximately $3 million since 2015 on training, materials and support to help its early elementary teachers and principals learn the science of how reading works and how children should be taught.”
Why Doesn’t Every Teacher Know the Research on Reading Instruction?
EXCERPT: My concern is greatest for teachers who are being sent into classrooms without the tools they need to succeed. I’m hopeful this renewed interest will serve as a catalyst for overhauling reading instruction in our teacher-preparation programs. However, relying solely on better preparation for the next generation of teachers is a slow delivery system to children. The stakes are too high. We need more immediate solutions.
The Golden Age of Dyslexia – Dean Bragonier
PC READS kicked-off Dyslexia Awareness month with an engaging presentation entitled, The Golden Age of Dyslexia, by Dean Bragonier. Community members filled the Park City High School Auditorium to hear Dean, the Founder of NoticeAbility speak about the positive attributes of a dyslexic mind which should be nurtured and celebrated. Audience members left inspired!
Earlier in the day, Dean met with a smaller group of Park City students, sharing his story and answering their very astute questions.
Dean with some PC READS MIND Youth Program participants
During Dean’s visit to Utah, hosted by PC READS with the assistance of The Hall Family Fund, he also gave a presentation to over 200 educators at The Wasatch Reading Summit.
Read the Park Record’s article published before the event: PC READS event will focus on the positive side of dyslexia
Advocating for Students
This article appeared in the Park Record 2018 Park City Parent Back to School Special Edition. Elissa Aten, PC READS President, submitted it on behalf of PC READS.
IDA’s Annual Reading, Literacy & Learning Conference – October 24-27
This is an excellent conference for educators, as well as for parents!
Plan ahead for 2019, when the Conference is scheduled to be in Portland, Oregon!
Reading in the Rockies – October 12 & 13
This annual reading conference is hosted by the Rocky Mountain Branch of the IDA. Make a road trip to Vail and enjoy!
