State of MO Dyslexia Requirements

2018-2019 SY
 • Purpose
• Simulate difficulty that
individuals with
Writing dyslexic characteristics
Simulation experience
• Items Needed
• Pencil/Pen
• Paper
 What is
Dyslexia?
Dyslexic
Characteristics
• 1 in 2 individuals that work for NASA test for dyslexic
characteristics
• Individuals that suffer from such difficulties are often
very intelligent and good problem solvers.
• Walt Disney would not turn in work or do anything in
class, but if a teacher set him up on their lap and asked
him to illustrate the answer he knew it.
• Most will not/do not need an IEP until they are really
behind in skills of their peers.
• Most of these students are identified in the teachers
lounge as “lazy” and not engaged in class.
• The recipe for teaching these students is just a little bit
different
• More examples: Steve Jobs, Alexander Graham Bell,
Thomas Jefferson….
• Accommodations can be made without an IEP
Overcoming These Are Your Students
Dyslexia Video: What I Wish Teachers Knew about Dyslexia
Accommodations
vs Modifications

Please see DESE handout regarding

the legal difference between
accommodations and modifications.
Use this thought process
ACCOMMODATIONS ARE LEGAL!
Homework Red Flag
When a student’s parents
report that they spend all night
on homework that their peers
can complete in 20 minutes,
this may be a child to keep an
eye on for such characteristics
TIDBIT: Students should have a
working knowledge of
anything that goes home at a
level of 80%. Homework is to
practice things that they
already understand.
What are the
MO Universal Screening and Early Dyslexia Identification In the
Requirements 2018-19 school year and subsequent years, each public
school, including each charter school, shall conduct dyslexia
screenings for students in the appropriate year consistent
with the findings and recommendations of the task force
created under section 633.420. "Dyslexia screening" is a
short test conducted by a teacher or school counselor to
determine whether a student likely has dyslexia or a related
disorder in which a positive result does not represent a
medical diagnosis but indicates that the student could
benefit from approved support.
 Task Force’s recommendations are that LEAs
screen:
What did all ● each student kindergarten through grade 3
each year.
that mean? o Grades 1-3 should be screened within
the first 30 days of the school year, with
follow up at the middle and end of the
year for systematic documentation of
progress or lack of progress.
o Kindergarten initial screening should
occur no later than January 31st and
also at the end of the year for
systematic documentation and progress
monitoring.
● any student K-3 who transfers from a school
within the state that has not previously been
screened.
 ● any student K-3 who transfers from another state and
cannot present documentation that the student has a
Continued… previous screening.
● a student in grades 4 or higher who is experiencing
consistent difficulty in the areas of weakness noted
previously in this report as determined by the classroom
teacher or as requested by the student’s parent/guardian.
● Exemptions
o Existing diagnosis of dyslexia o Students with a
sensory impairment (visual/auditory) o Severe
intellectual disabilities
o English Learner’s where tools or staffing related to
administration and/or interpretation in native
language is unavailable
What do I do with
Parent questions?
• Canned answer is: "The district
will be conducting dyslexia
screenings in accordance with
DESE guidance." Kelli Hopkins,
MSBA attorney
• Or send them to building
administrators
 Exception #1
Student that has already been medically or
clinically diagnosed with Dyslexia
 Exception #2
Students with a sensory impairment
 Exception #3
Students with severe intellectual disabilities
WE ARE SCREENING FOR
STUDENTS WHO ARE “AT
RISK” OF SUCH
CHARACTERISTICS AS
DYSLEXIA!!!

WE ARE NOT DIAGNOSING!

WE ARE NOT DOCTORS!
 EDUCATORS/DISTRICTS
MUST BE CAREFUL IN
SAYING THAT A STUDENT
NEEDS TO GO
SOMEWHERE TO BE
TESTED
Then we will end up paying
for all testing!
 We are already testing most of these indicators in
grades K-2nd.

Pathways to Reading (PTR), when appropriately administered, already focuses on

the suggestions/requirements of the Dyslexia Taskforce; with two exceptions:

The Good News!

 Interventions
For Severe Cases we are looking for Orton – Gillingham methods
Orton - Gillingham
Licking R-VIII
Dyslexia Plan
Break-Out Meetings/Grade Level Specific

Monday 8/13/18 @ 10.00am Grades 4th – 6th

11:00 AM

10:00 AM

Monday 8/13/18 @ 11.00am Grades Kdg. – 3rd

 Administration

Counseling
At-Risk Special Education
Committee
Each Grade Level Representative

Monthly Meetings