Decoding Dyslexia: Minnesota

It's time to rally at the Capitol for DYSLEXIA

Join us for Decoding Dyslexia Minnesota’s 5th Annual Dyslexia Day on the Hill and Rally. Each year, families, friends and professionals from around the state gather at the Capitol to raise awareness about dyslexia and support legislative change.

What: Dyslexia Day on the Hill Rally 2019
When: February 28, 2019, 1-3 pm
Where: Rotunda, MN State Capitol Building

Get ready to raise your voices!

More information & RSVP

CALL TO ACTION

Our DYSLEXIA bills will be heard in the Senate! We have been given notice that our bills will be heard on the 6th, but the official agenda isn't on the schedule. We will confirm as soon as possible.

What: Education K-12 Finance & Policy Committee

When: Wednesday, February 6th, 2019 at 3:00 (tentative)

Where: MN Senate Building, Room 1100

Please come and show your support for the dyslexia bills. It is impactful for policymakers to see people who care about and are impacted by dyslexia. We encourage all who share an interest in this important issue to attend any and all hearings — children are encouraged to come too!! Your support and presence are critical to illustrate the issues experienced in schools and districts across the state. Your voice and presence are needed! YOU can help make a difference!

SF 116 Dyslexia teacher professional development for 5-year recertification
SF 196 Dyslexia teacher training requirement for teacher preparation programs

SF 651 Dyslexia screening requirement.

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 clock hours)

Parents Advocacy For Struggling Readers - What Does MN Law 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 has created a 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 called Revising Local Literacy Plans to Include “Efforts to Identify Students with Dyslexia - 8/16/17" This guidance is provided to address district response to students with dyslexia under Minnesota's reading intervention law. Another document called Assessment Plan References was also created by MDE providing assessments that are used by districts across the state.

You can contact Decoding Dyslexia Minnesota at decoding.dyslexia.mn@gmail.com

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