FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Largest School District in CA (LAUSD) Adopts Significant Dyslexia Resolution
Los Angeles, CA, [June 20, 2017] –Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board of Education voted on June 20th to adopt a resolution entitled “Recognizing and Addressing the Educational Implications of Dyslexia in LAUSD Schools” submitted by LAUSD Board members, Dr. Ref Rodriguez and Mr. Scott Schmerelson, with assistance from Decoding Dyslexia CA (DDCA) Regional Leaders in Los Angeles County.
This groundbreaking resolution requires that, within the next 90 days, the LAUSD Superintendent review and update all district policies, procedures and practices regarding dyslexia and that school personnel understand that the term “Specific Learning Disability” is an umbrella term and does not prohibit the use of the term “dyslexia” when determining special education eligibility and educational services.
The LAUSD Superintendent is to create a plan to provide teacher and staff training necessary to improve the understanding of dyslexia and its warning signs, appropriate evidence-based Structured Literacy™ Instruction and appropriate classroom accommodations/modifications.
LAUSD will ensure the provision of Free and Appropriate Public Education by providing an evidence-based, multisensory, direct, explicit, structured, and sequential approach to instructing students with dyslexia.
“This resolution, not only promises to help our dyslexic students in LAUSD, but serves as a beacon for efforts in other school districts in the State,” states Pam Cohen, Los Angeles Co-Regional Leader for Decoding Dyslexia CA.
“We began working with LAUSD Board of Education a year ago in increasing dyslexia awareness,” states Sherry Rubalcava, Los Angeles Co-Regional Leader for Decoding Dyslexia CA. “We were very pleased to be able to collaborate with LAUSD in developing the language for this resolution and look forward to continuing our collaboration as they move forward with developing and implementing their dyslexia plan.”
Dyslexia is the single largest learning disability. It is estimated that up to 20% of the overall population displays some signs or symptoms of dyslexia, a language-based learning disability. In LAUSD alone, this means over 128,000 students are at risk of being dyslexic. Without proper identification and appropriate reading remediation, most dyslexic children will never read at grade level.
ABOUT DDCA: 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. For more information contact: Tobie Meyer, DDCA State Director at tobie_ddca@yahoo.com, visit our website at www.decodingdyslexiaca.org, or like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DecodingDyslexiaCA/
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Click HERE for a copy of the LAUSD Dyslexia Resolution
Click HERE to read Jane Adams article in EdSource
Click HERE to read the LAUSD Press Release
Click HERE for a downloadable version of the DDCA Press Release