Special Education Services
Dyslexia
Teacher working with students

Contact Us

 

Traci Newman

(254) 297-1100

tnewman@esc12.net

 

Janeia Vorderkunz

(254) 297-1282

jvorderkunz@esc12.net

 

Dyslexia Services

The identification and instruction of students with dyslexia and related disorders is mandated by the state of Texas. ESC Region 12 provides professional development and consultative assistance to increase student success.


AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • Identification and assessment of students with dyslexia

  • Instructional strategies for students with dyslexia

  • Interpretation of state guidelines and mandates regarding dyslexia

  • Development of local plans and programs designed for educating students with dyslexia

 

Dyslexia Program Awareness Brochure for Educators and Parents This brochure is available in English and Spanish
Click here to download in English
Click here to download in Spanish

Texas Dyslexia Academy 1: Dyslexia Foundations is the first of six training opportunities developed to assist school districts and charter schools regarding dyslexia and related disorders. In this course, participants will learn how students acquire reading skills, why some students struggle in reading, what dyslexia is, and how to know whether dyslexia is the cause of a student's reading difficulties. The objectives for this course are:

  • Explore the elements of reading 
  • Define dyslexia, its characteristics, and related disorders
  • Explore the common risk factors for dyslexia
  • Understand associated academic difficulties and other conditions

 


 

Texas Dyslexia Academy 2: The Dyslexia Handbook is the second of six training opportunities developed to assist school districts and charter schools in understanding The Dyslexia Handbook 2021 Update: Procedures Concerning Dyslexia and Related Disorders. In this course, participants will explore the handbook and learn about updates. The objectives for this course are:

  • Explore The Dyslexia Handbook, 2021 Update
  • Define Dyslexia, its characteristics, and common risk factors
  • Understand universal screening and data review for reading risk
  • Understand the evaluation and identification process, and provision of services for students with dyslexia
  • Explore critical, evidence-based components of dyslexia instruction

 


 

Texas Dyslexia Academy 3: Considerations for Emergent Bilingual Students is the third of six training opportunities developed to assist school districts and charter schools regarding dyslexia and related disorders. In this course, participants will receive a general overview of the unique needs of emergent bilingual students within the dyslexia evaluation process. The objectives for this course are:

  • Understand how The Dyslexia Handbook 2021 Update addresses emergent bilingual students
  • Understand the process of second language acquisition
  • Learn about the benefits of bilingualism
  • Explore the various types of alphabetic systems that exist around the world
  • Understand data gathering and formal evaluation
  • Explore instructional programming for emergent bilingual students

 


 

Texas Dyslexia Academy 4: IDEA and Dyslexia is designed to build background knowledge about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and special education from Child Find through the ARD committee process. It provides information about core special education concepts such as Child Find, Full Individual and Initial Evaluations (FIIE), Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committees, and Individual Education Program (IEP) development. Participants will gain an understanding of:

  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
  • Child Find requirements
  • The referral process for an initial evaluation when a specific learning disability (SLD)/dyslexia is suspected
  • Notice of Action-Prior Written Notice (PWN) and Notice of Procedural Safeguards
  • Full individual and initial evaluation (FIIE)
  • Admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee meeting and components of the individualized education program (IEP)

Suggested staff: All educators and administrators, but primarily benefits educators who may have limited knowledge about special education processes.



 

Texas Dyslexia Academy 5: Screening for Dyslexia is the fifth of six training opportunities developed to assist school districts and charter schools regarding dyslexia and related disorders. In this course, participants will receive a general overview of the importance of screening for dyslexia. The objectives for this course are:

  • Understand the importance of early screening
  • Understand the state and federal screening requirements
  • Define universal screening for dyslexia and related disorders
  • Become familiar with guidelines for administration of screening instruments
  • Explore interpretation of screening results
  • Understand the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) requirements related to screening
  • Understand best practices for ongoing monitoring

 


 

Texas Dyslexia Academy 6: Dysgraphia provides educators with foundational information about dysgraphia, which is a related disorder to dyslexia. In this course, participants explore how students acquire writing skills, what dysgraphia is, the identification process, and the provision of services for students with dysgraphia as outlined in the Dyslexia Handbook. The objectives for this course are:

  • Understand the simple view of writing and the stages of handwriting development
  • Understand the definition and characteristics of dysgraphia
  • Understand the procedures for the identification of dysgraphia 
  • Explore instruction for students with dysgraphia
  • Explore instructional accommodations and technology tools
 

 

Click here to see other training opportunities.

READING BY DESIGN®
Systematic, Explicit, and Intensive Reading Intervention

 

Reading by Design®: An Individualized Literacy Intervention is a systematic, multisensory approach aligned with research-based practices for developing literacy. This intervention follows an intensive, explicit, and cumulative design for remediation of reading and writing skills at all grade levels. This comprehensive program addresses the following components: phonological awareness, sound-symbol association, six syllable types, written spelling patterns, morphology, syntax, reading fluency, and comprehension. Progress monitoring and review lessons are embedded throughout the program to inform student progress and promote reading and writing automaticity. Reading by Design® may be used with students in kindergarten through grade 12 in a small, homogeneous group setting. (Teacher training required.)

NEW!

Become Certified through the Reading by Design® Structured Literacy Certification Program.

 

Learn More

reading by design logo
Press ENTER key to focus on the active panel