Brainstorm and Discussion for Dyslexia & Back-to-School (Online Event)
When: Aug 12, 2020, 6:30 - 8 pm
Zoom details:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4180643781?pwd=RFpjMG5XVmF4SUh6blV3VEhxTFQ1QT09
Meeting ID: 418 064 3781
Passcode: 504394
Come meet with DDMN and other parents to discuss supporting our dyslexic learners with hacks, strategies, and other tools. We will not be discussing the pro and cons of the various models that will be implemented across the state. We will, however, come together to brainstorm, discuss, and support each other during this unprecedented time. In order to prepare, post questions prior to the event on the FB event post or privately in FB messenger.
NEW Online Webinars with Decoding Dyslexia Minnesota
Please share with any parents you think might be interested. This is geared towards parents of children with a new dyslexia diagnosis, not intended for school administrators.
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/515694485
You can also dial in using your phone: +1 (669) 224-3412
Access Code: 515-694-485
New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/515694485
MN Legislative Session 2020 ended May 18, 2020.
Governor Walz signed the 2020 education omnibus bill on June 23, 2020. In it was an update to dyslexia screening in the "Read Well by Third Grade" statute (120B.12).
The Dyslexia Screening from the 2019 session will still go into effect starting in the 20-21 school year. The updated Statute 120B.12 is as below, with the changes made in this 2020 session underlined.
"(a) Each school district must identify before the end of kindergarten, grade 1, and grade 2 all students who are not reading at grade level. Students identified as not reading at grade level by the end of kindergarten, grade 1, and grade 2 must be screened, in a locally determined manner, for characteristics of dyslexia.
(b) Students in grade 3 or higher who demonstrate a reading difficulty to a classroom teacher must be screened, in a locally determined manner, for characteristics of dyslexia, unless a different reason for the reading difficulty has been identified.
(c) Reading assessments in English, and in the predominant languages of district students where practicable, must identify and evaluate students' areas of academic need related to literacy. The district also must monitor the progress and provide reading instruction appropriate to the specific needs of English learners. The district must use a locally adopted, developmentally appropriate, and culturally responsive assessment and annually report summary assessment results to the commissioner by July 1.
(d) The district also must annually report to the commissioner by July 1 a summary of the district's efforts to screen and identify students with:
(1) who demonstrate characteristics of dyslexia, using screening tools such as those recommended by the department's dyslexia specialist; or
(2) With respect to students screened or identified under paragraph (a), the report must include:
(1) a summary of the district's efforts to screen for dyslexia;
(2) the number of students screened for that reporting year; and
(3) the number of students demonstrating characteristics of dyslexia for that year.
(e) A student identified under this subdivision must be provided with alternate instruction under section 125A.56, subdivision 1.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for the 2020-2021 school year and later.
Decoding Dyslexia Minnesota depends on your support!
For the future of our Minnesota children who struggle with reading or who have been diagnosed with dyslexia, I am asking for your financial support. By donating to Decoding Dyslexia Minnesota, you can help fund our educational and advocacy work. 100% of funds stay within Minnesota. Funds are used for education, advocacy, youth programming, and events. 90% of Decoding Dyslexia Minnesota is run by our unpaid, volunteer Board of Directors.
New (2020) legislation, CARES (Coronovirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act, provides charitable giving incentives. The MN Council of Nonprofits page gives more details. This is not tax advice. Please consult with a tax advisor for specific questions.
You can donate on our website, any amount is appreciated.
Distance Learning
Ollie Cantos at the Office of Civil Rights has released a guidance letter about our kids who learn differently during this time of distance learning.
View Here
RECORDED EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY
(recorded and slides) - Higher Education Literacy Partnership (HELP) hosted a Webinar called “How Minnesota's New and Amended Education Statutes Apply to You" which featured the Minnesota Department of Education Dyslexia Specialist, Dr. Amy Schulting. Decoding Dyslexia Minnesota is a partner with the Higher Education Literacy Partnership.
(recorded) - Facebook Live: New Dyslexia Laws Panel. The Reading Center hosted a Facebook Live event to hear more about the historic legislation that was passed this year to help students with dyslexia and other struggling readers in Minnesota. The panel will include members of the Dyslexia Coalition (Decoding Dyslexia MN, The Reading Center, IDA and Groves Acadamy).
MDE Dyslexia webpage
MDE has updated their website with a page dedicated to dyslexia. It is packed with information including resources that can help with back to school.
DYSLEXIA ADVOCACY WORKSHOP 2019
In January 2019, Decoding Dyslexia Minnesota hosted a Dyslexia Advocacy Workshop for parents and teachers. We have three videos from the workshop:
- The DDMN Board Member Panel discussed how to advocate for your child in the school system;
- Senator Roger Chamberlain discussed what people can do at the legislative level; and
- A Parent District Leader went over a detailed plan on how to organize a group in one's own school district to bring about meaningful change for students with dyslexia.
Ongoing Dyslexia Awareness
The Reading Center offers an online 5 hour Dyslexia 101 informational course for educators designed to provide an increased understanding of dyslexia, what it looks like in the classroom, accommodations and more. It is a self-paced course with no start or end date. 5 CEUs
Free Dyslexia Tutoring in Superior, WI
The Dyslexia Centers for Children of Upper Wisconsin recently opened a campus location in Superior, Wisconsin. These campuses provide one-to-one structured language instruction to children who struggle to read, write, and spell. Services are provided at no cost to families, and are open to anyone committed to consistent and regular attendance, regardless of their state of residency. Accredited tutor training for adults is also provided at the Dyslexia Center campuses, at no cost to trainees. Dyslexia Centers for Children of Upper Wisconsin is currently accepting applications for new tutors and students. Apply today at www.wicdc.org
Parents Advocacy For Struggling Readers - What Does MN Statute have to say?
"My school doesn’t say dyslexia."
In 2015, the definition of dyslexia was passed into MN Statute 125A.01, Subd 2. The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) also says dyslexia.
"Our school doesn’t have any resources on dyslexia."
A comprehensive guide was developed by MDE and Decoding Dyslexia MN called “Navigating the School System when a Child is Struggling with Reading or Dyslexia”. and can be found under Parent Resources.
In 2017, funds were appropriated for MDE to hire a Dyslexia Specialist to provide technical assistance for dyslexia, to serve as the primary source of information, to support schools in addressing the needs of students with dyslexia, and to increase professional awareness and instructional competencies to meet the needs of these students (MN Statute 120B.122).
"How are schools identifying and serving students that have characteristics of dyslexia?"
MN Statute 120B.12, Subd 2, states that each school district must report to MDE their “efforts to screen and identify students with dyslexia to the commissioner by July 1st of each year.” A student identified must be provided with alternative instruction under MN Statute 125A.56 Subd 1, that is multisensory, systematic, sequential, cumulative, and explicit.
In 2017, MN Statute 120B.12, Subd 3b, was changed to state that a “school district is strongly encouraged to provide a Personal Learning Plan for a student who is unable to demonstrate grade-level proficiency, and should be developed in consultation with the student’s parent or guardian. The personal learning plan must address knowledge gaps and skill deficiencies”.
"My school wants to stop reading intervention since my child is past 3rd grade."
In 2017, an amendment was added to MN Statute 120B.12, Subd 3, stating that the district must continue to provide reading intervention past 3rd grade until the child is reading at grade level.
"How do I know what assessments our elementary school provides to track reading progress?"
Each school district is required to have a Local Literacy Plan posted on its website per MN Statute 120B.12, Subd 4a, that explains the school’s “plan to have every child reading at or above grade level no later than the end of grade 3”. If you can’t find it on your district’s website, ask for it.
For a printable version of the above statements, click here.
For a longer version including the statute language, click here.
DDMN Teacher Survey Results 2018
DDMN conducted a teacher survey to find out more about the learning opportunities for dyslexia in teacher preparation programs and professional development. Click here to see the results.
MDE's Dyslexia Screening Guide for school districts
MDE has put together a Dyslexia Screening Guide for MN School districts to help them be compliant with the new dyslexia screening law. The following question would be a great question to ask your school district, "What was the reporting results that our district provided to MDE last July about our districts' efforts to screen and identify students with dyslexia per MN Statute 120B.12, Subd 2?"
Find the Dyslexia Screening Guide on the MDE website. This guidance is provided to address district response to students with characteristics of dyslexia under Minnesota's reading intervention law.
You can contact Decoding Dyslexia Minnesota at decoding.dyslexia.mn@gmail.com