DYSLEXIA AND RELATED DISORDERS Handbook 1
DYSLEXIA AND RELATED DISORDERS PRINCETON ISD POSITION STATEMENT In accordance with Texas Education Code Sec. 38.003, Princeton ISD will provide a program for the educational development of students who are identified as Dyslexic. Princeton ISD recognizes that students identified as Dyslexic can come from all races, socioeconomic groups, geographical locales, and environment. Definition The Texas Education Code (Sec. 38.003) states that: 1. Dyslexic means a disorder of constitutional origin manifested by a difficulty in learning to read, write, or spell, despite conventional instruction, adequate intelligence, and sociocultural opportunity. 2. Related Disorders includes disorders similar to or related to dyslexia, such as developmental auditory imperception, dysphasia, specific developmental dyslexia, developmental dysgraphia, and developmental spelling disability. Goals for Educating the Dyslexic Student 1. Identify, screen, and test all students that exhibit dyslexia and related disorder tendencies. 2. Provide a comprehensive dyslexia program to serve students in grades K 12 who have been identified as having dyslexia or related disorder. 3. Teachers on each campus will be trained in instructional strategies that utilize individualized, intensive, multisensory, phonetic methods, and a variety of writing and spelling components. Guidelines for Dyslexia Program 1. Student Identification A) Referral Procedure Students may be referred for Dyslexia screening by any professional staff member, family member, or self. Referrals should be made to the Campus Counselor on a 504 Student Referral Form. Under the comment section write Dyslexia Screening Requested. Before an identification or assessment procedure is used selectively with an individual student, Princeton ISD shall notify the student s parent or guardian. Note: All Dyslexia Screenings will be simultaneously referred under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. 2
B) Screening Procedure Information will be gathered from cumulative folders, teachers, and parents via the 504 referral process. The school counselor will administer the following Dyslexia Assessment Tests: C-TONI (Test of Non-verbal Intelligence) Woodcock Reading Mastery Tests GORT-4 (Gray Oral Reading Test) Screening procedures will be completed within 30 days of receipt of parent consent form. C) Placement Procedures After screening procedures are complete a 504 Campus Referral Committee Meeting will be scheduled within 15 days. Campus Administration, Counselor, Teacher, and Parent will be invited to attend. Other individuals as needed will also be permitted to attend. The Committee will consider all information and determine if an educational need exist. If an educational need is found to exist the Committee will make recommendations concerning modifications, placement, and/or further testing. D) Re-Evaluation / Exit Procedures Students will be re-evaluated on an annual basis. The Committee will consider updated information from cumulative folders, teachers, and parents. Students will be exited when it is determined that there is no longer an Educational Need. Program Organization Princeton ISD offers a continuum of services for a student diagnosed as having Dyslexia or Related Disorder. Options consist of: 1. Classroom Modifications Classroom modifications could be used in all or specified classes in the areas of Pacing, Methods, or Materials. 2. Content Mastery Content Mastery could be used to assist with independent practice activities. 3. Multi-Sensory Reading Program Princeton ISD currently utilizes the Stevenson Reading Program to serve Dyslexia and Related Disorders. A short description of the program is listed below. 3
The Stevenson Program is an alternative approach for teaching reading, spelling and other basic language skills. Stevenson is highly effective with students who have learning problems and provides special advantages to problem-free students as well. The program possesses several unusual qualities, but its strategic use of mnemonics is probably the most important one. "Mnemonics" (pronounced nee-mon-iks) is a term for memory aids. The sandwich and cake you see here are mnemonic clues that help students understand and remember the structure of certain classes of words. 4. TAKS Accommodations A student who is identified as having dyslexia or related disorders is not exempt for the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test. However, the following procedures may be used during test administration if they are used regularly throughout the school year as part of the student s accommodation plan: oral examinations (Math, Social Studies, Science) additional time materials or technology necessary for the student to demonstrate mastery of the competencies the assessment instruments are designed to measure (such as using a word processor during the writing portion of the TAKS) Staff Development Princeton ISD will ensure that a teacher on each campus is trained in instructional strategies that utilize individualized intensive, multisensory, phonetic methods and a variety of writing and spelling components. Princeton ISD is currently providing teacher training in the Stevenson Reading Method for Reversing Reading Failure. Parent and Community Involvement Princeton ISD embraces the concept that the education of students is a partnership with parents and community. Parents must receive information related to program objectives and activities, which support the school process. Parents and Community members are invited to be part of Princeton ISD Site-Based Decision Committee. District/Campus Improvement plans will address the needs of the Dyslexic Student. Parents are involved in every phase of the Dyslexia Program, including referral, screening, and placement 4
Additional Information For further information on this or any program offered at Princeton ISD, please contact the following personnel: Jackie Hendricks, (469) 952-5400, Ext. 3508 Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Campus Principal or Counselor (469) 952-5400 5