Dyslexia
WHAT IS DYSLEXIA?
The International Dyslexia Association defines dyslexia as “a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.”
Texas Education Code (TEC) §38.003 defines dyslexia as “a disorder of constitutional origin manifested by a difficulty in learning to read, write, or spell, despite conventional instruction, adequate intelligence, and sociocultural opportunity.” Additionally, related disorders “include disorders similar to our related to dyslexia, such as developmental auditory imperception, dysphasia, specific developmental dyslexia, developmental dysgraphia, and developmental spelling disability”
To access the Dyslexia Handbook published by the Texas Education Agency click one of the following: Dyslexia Handbook and FAQ or Dylexia Handbook - Spanish.
The following link will take you to a video that provides a deeper understanding of dyslexia and its lifelong effects. Click here to watch the video.
OVERVIEW OF THE HPISD DYSLEXIA PROGRAM
The Highland Park ISD Dyslexia Program follows all TEA guidelines for assessment, identification, and instruction as per TEA guidelines outlined in the TEA Dyslexia Handbook.
Highland Park Independent School district supports the educational concept that reading, writing, and spelling skills provide the foundation for overall academic success. Although dyslexia is a life-long condition, the Highland Park ISD Dyslexia Program equips students with dyslexia the skills needed to be successful in school. The district provides an evidenced-based, multisensory structured literacy instruction for students with dyslexia.
Highland Park ISD utilizes the Take Flight program developed by the Scottish Rite for Children Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia and Learning Disorders in Dallas, Texas and the Reading by Design program developed by the Region 4 Education Service Center in Houston, Texas depending on the student’s needs.
DYSLEXIA STAFF
The following staff are highly trained dyslexia specialists who have completed an intensive and rigorous training program that included hundreds of hours teaching students with dyslexia (or in the process of completing their certification).
These dyslexia specialists stay current in the area of dyslexia by attending local or state conferences and workshops each year.
K-1 SCREENING FOR DYSLEXIA
With the enactment of TEC 38.003, Highland Park ISD gives all kindergarten and first-grade students a screener for dyslexia. Results of the screener are reviewed, and a determination for additional instruction is made at the campus level. Results are reported to parents, campus administrators, and campus dyslexia specialists for review. Appropriate campus intervention is planned as needed.
INSTRUCTION IN GRADES 7-12
Students at Highland Park Middle School and Highland Park High School who are identified as having dyslexia and need specially-designed instruction will need a scheduled class that takes the place of one elective during their school day. High school students will receive one local elective credit for this class.
PROGRESS MONITORING
While students are actively enrolled in the Take Flight program, their reading progress is monitored by the dyslexia specialist. If the student is in the Reading by Design program, the student’s progress is monitored by the Special Education teacher currently teaching the curriculum. The progress monitoring results are reported to parents and administration every nine weeks.
Students who have completed the Take Flight program or received dyslexia intervention from another school district or from a private provider will also be progress monitored by the campus dyslexia specialist. Monitoring results are reported to campus administration, as well as to the MTSS Committee, 504 Committee, or the ARD Committee.
PARENT AND STUDENT RESOURCES
The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) provides many helpful resources for parents. Some of the most often used and helpful Fact Sheets are linked below, but there are many others on the IDA website www.dyslexiaida.org.
Additional resources:
- ADHD and Dyslexia- Click Here
- Accommodations for Students with Dyslexia-Click Here
- Adolescents and Adults with Dyslexia- Click Here
- Applying for Accommodations on College Entrance Tests- Click Here
- Assessment of Dyslexia- Click Here
- Dyslexia Basics- Click Here
- Dyslexia-Stress-Anxiety Connection- Click Here
- Effective Reading Instruction for Students with Dyslexia- Click Here
- Gifted and Dyslexic- Click Here
- Helpful Terminology- Click Here
- Morphological Awareness- Click Here
- Oral Language Impairments and Dyslexia- Click Here
- Spelling- Click Here
- Technology and App Tools- Click Here
- Understanding Dysgraphia- Click Here
- Working Memory: The Engine for Learning- Click Here
- Suggested books for parents and students with dyslexia - Click Here