Category: Advocacy

In Defense of the Truth: A Reply to 57 Reading Voices on the Issue of Dyslexia, by Dr. Dykstra

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Dyslexia is real and relevant.  Thanks to Steven P. Dykstra, PhD for providing the following guidance to the Decoding Dyslexia State Chapters. – Decoding Dyslexia CA

You may or may not be aware of a letter from 57 backers of balanced literacy sent to officials of the Public Broadcasting System, taking issue with the way PBS covered “What Parents of Dyslexic Children are Teaching Schools about Literacy”.  The letter is now in wide distribution and is being promoted by Reading Recovery as well as the ILA and its state organizations.  If it hasn’t come to your state or been sent to your legislators, it will be.  

Attached you will find a well-written, point-by-point response from Dr. Steven P. Dykstra, including the letter to PBS and other documents.  Please share this widely so we can dispel some of the erroneous information surrounding dyslexia that is being circulated.

Community Collaboration on Implementing the CA Dyslexia Guidelines

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On October 20th, over 100 participants gathered in Berkeley, CA famous Ed Roberts Campus to discuss Dyslexia and AB 1369:  School and Community Partnerships & Critical Next Steps. (To access a list of dyslexia resources that were provided at the event click here.)

This community collaboration had 36 unique school districts represented.  Over 20 school administrators, 40 educators and 40 parents & guardians came together for an interactive discussion on how California school districts are implementing the California Dyslexia Guidelines.  Discussions centered around the progress various school districts have accomplished to date and the need to address the identified challenges ahead.

Featured panelists included Elementary School Teachers, a SELPA Special Education Director, a District-Level Literacy Instructional Coach, Adjunct Faculty from CSUEB and the Decoding Dyslexia CA State Director.

Participants were able to experience first-hand what it feels like to be a student with dyslexia by participating in the IDA NorCal Experience Dyslexia®simulation.  Live demonstrations were provided by Learning Ally, The Center for Accessible  Technologyand Precision Learning Center.

A helpful 2-page summary of the California Dyslexia Guidelines can be found here.