Events

Events sponsored by Decoding Dyslexia CA (DDCA) are indicated on the events calendar.  Local events held by other organizations may also be listed that may be of interest to our members. DDCA does not endorse any specific program or company.

Jun
26
Mon
Chartwell School Professional Development Institute Summer 2017 @ Chartwell School
Jun 26 @ 8:30 am – Jun 29 @ 12:00 pm

Educating Professionals in the Field of Learning Differences

The Summer Institute offers a professional development program for teachers, educational therapists, tutors and parents who would like to learn more about dyslexia and other learning differences. CUE credits are available through CSUMB.

Topics Include:

  • Understanding Dyslexia & the Reading Brain
  • Dyslexia Law (2015): AB 1369
  • Understanding ADHD & Executive Function Skills
  • Learning and the Brain: Stress, Memory & Growth Mindset
  • Keys to Literacy: Components of Effective Reading Programs
  • IDEA (2004) & Rehabilitation Act (1973): Section 504

About the Presenter:

Gretchen Giuffre, M.A. Ed., has been involved in independent and public sector education since 1999. Specializing in children with learning differences, she is the former Middle School Coordinator at Chartwell. Additional experience includes the following roles: Reading and Math Intervention Coach, Language Arts Educator and Advisor for a Language & Literacy School Reform Initiative.

Jul
10
Mon
Dyslexia and Phonological Processing FREE 1 hour Webinar @ Online Event
Jul 10 @ 8:00 am – Jul 16 @ 11:00 pm

Dyslexia and Phonological Processing 1 hour Webinar

Join us for a FREE one-hour technical webinar on Dyslexia and Phonological Processing with emphasis on the use of the Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing (CTOPP-2).  Under new California Education Law, phonological processing is specifically listed as an area that should be assessed in determining Special Education eligibility.  


 This pre-recorded webinar will be presented by Dr. Richard Wagner, Ph.D., Principal Investigator of NICHD Florida Learning Disabilities Research Center, Associate Director, Florida Center for Reading Research and Co-Author of the CTOPP-2.  Dr. Wagner is also a member of the CA Department of Education Dyslexia Work Group that is producing dyslexia guidelines to be released in August 2017.  The CTOPP-2 is one of the most widely used and popular assessments for reading-related phonological processing skills.

 

This webinar is appropriate for psychologists, speech-language pathologists, special education teachers, resource specialists and other professionals.

Participants must pre-register for this free 1 hour webinar.

Webinar will only be available for viewing during the following specified times:

July 10th at 8:00 a.m. (PDT) through July 16th at 11:00p.m. (PDT)

On July 9th, you will receive an email with the link and a password to access the webinar.

 

Click HERE to download the flyer.

Sponsored By:

Decoding Dyslexia CA is a grassroots movement driven by California families, educators and professionals concerned with the limited access to educational interventions for dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities within our public schools.  We aim to raise dyslexia awareness, empower families to support their children, and inform policymakers on best practices to identify, remediate, and support students with dyslexia in CA public schools.

CARS+ is the only organization whose sole purpose is to represent the unique needs of resource specialists and other special education teachers. The California Association of Resource Specialists was founded in 1981 as a non-profit association dedicated to the support of resource specialists. In February of 1996, the organization voted to expand its active membership to include all special education teachers.

 

CASP’s mission is to provide high quality educational and leadership programs, that maintain high standards of practice for school psychologists through legislative advocacy, professional development, communications, publications, ethics guidelines, and direct services to members, to enable the growth and development of the profession, and to ensure safe, healthy, and successful outcomes for the children, schools and communities we serve.

Sep
29
Fri
Dyslexia & AB 1369 @ UC Merced
Sep 29 @ 8:30 am – 3:00 pm

Learn about:

  • Dyslexia
  • New Laws & Guidelines
  • Assessments & Intervention

Presenters:

  • Jeff Gilger, Ph.D., UC Merced
  • Kathy Futterman, Ed.D., CSU East Bay

Registration includes lunch.

For more information, click HERE for the flyer.

Oct
21
Sat
Using the CTOPP-2 to Assess Phonological Processing for Reading Disability/Dyslexia Evaluations @ Chan Family Health Science Learning Center, PHS 110-111
Oct 21 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Speech-Language Pathology Continuing Education Course: Using the CTOPP-2 to Assess Phonological Processing for Reading Disability/Dyslexia Evaluations

Speech-Language Pathology alumni and friends are invited to this special Homecoming weekend continuing education program. During this three-hour program, speaker Richard “Rick” K. Wagner, PhD, a professor of psychology at Florida State University, will dispel old myths and present new truths about dyslexia, followed by a brief review of the just-released California dyslexia guidelines. Then, use of the CTOPP-2 for assessing phonological processing in the context of reading disability/dyslexia evaluations will be covered.

All participants will receive a certificate of attendance and a continental breakfast.
RSVP by October 18

Please feel free to share this invitation with your colleagues.

Participants are invited to stay on campus and attend other Homecoming activities. For a complete listing of events visit: pacific.edu/homecoming

 

Oct
20
Sat
Dyslexia and AB 1369 @ Ed Roberts Campus
Oct 20 @ 10:00 am – 3:30 pm

Register now as this event will sell out! Please join IDA NorCal and our co-sponsors Decoding Dyslexia CA and Learning Ally for an interactive and engaging panel discussion with dyslexia experts, former members of the CDE Dyslexia Guidelines workgroup, teachers and school administrators as we discuss how to implement AB 1369 best practices in improving outcomes for our students with dyslexia. Learn about real examples of how school districts are making a difference and discuss the challenges ahead as we join together to address this important topic. Event will include an opportunity to participate in an Experience Dyslexia® simulation. In addition, the event will feature booths and exhibitors with information on assistive technology and local dyslexia resources.

This event is intended for school administrators, educators, parents/guardians and other interested community members.

Please click here for the event schedule.
Please click here for the event flyer.
Please click here to register for the event.

The panelists for the event are as follows:

  • Wendi Aghily, Ed.D., Director of Special Education, Mt. Diablo USD/SELPA
  • Kathy Futterman, Ed.D., Adjunct Faculty CSU East Bay, Educational Specialist Mt. Diablo USD, CDE Dyslexia Guidelines Work Group Member, Dyslexia Consultant Decoding Dyslexia CA
  • Tobie Meyer, State Director Decoding Dyslexia CA, CDE Dyslexia Guidelines Work Group Member
  • Monina Salazar, Assistant Principal Parkside Intermediate School, San Bruno Park School District, Former District Teacher on Special Assignment – Literacy Intervention Instructional Coach San Ramon Valley USD
  • John Santonastaso, Brier Elementary First Grade Teacher, Fremont USD,International Dyslexia Association NorCal Vice President
  • Amy Bull, Vintage Hills Elementary School Kindergarten Teacher, Pleasanton USD, AppRISE Pilot Program Participant (dyslexia screener app)

Sponsored By:

Co-Sponsors:

Mar
21
Thu
Learning While Black in SFUSD @ African American Art and Culture Complex
Mar 21 @ 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Learning While Black in SFUSD – On March 21st, 5:30 – 8pm join the community in an educational panel round-table discussion and resource fair featuring Darryl Lester, the main plaintiff in the landmark special education case, Larry P. vs. California.

Mr. Lester was never taught how to read and was labeled “educable mentally retarded” in the 1970’s.  KALW, a local public radio station, produced a recent story of interest addressing a legacy of mistreatment of San Francisco’s black special education students.  The reporter stated the following about Mr. Lester, “it turns out, he did have a learning difficulty, a really specific one. He struggled with reading. He never got the help he needed.”

DDCA is concerned that SFUSD’s recent dyslexia pilot and implementation does not meet California dyslexia guidelines best practices.  Join us in discussing how SFUSD is meeting the needs of its current African American students with reading disabilities.

Downloadable Flyer