OCES Dyslexia
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Though the operating definition for Texas public education remains unchanged, that definition was shaped in part by the IDA's definition. The IDA has recently updated their and worth reading. From IDA:
"The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) is pleased to announce the release of its updated 2025 definition of dyslexia — the first major revision since the widely referenced 2002 working definition. This new definition reflects significant scientific advances and incorporates the perspectives of researchers, educators, clinicians, advocates, and individuals with dyslexia from around the world.
The updated definition aims to promote a more inclusive, science-informed understanding of dyslexia worldwide and to encourage early identification and appropriate support. Rooted in decades of research, it seeks to better capture the complexity of dyslexia and the variability of how it presents across individuals and writing systems."
Dyslexia in the Media
Dyslexia in the Media
If you're looking for resources to add to your dyslexia knowledge, check out the Dyslexia Duo Podcast. Listen in your favorite podcast app! Also, the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News have teamed up to do a series of reporting on Dyslexia in Texas. The series covers info about the 2023 Beckley Wilson Act (HB 3928) as well as other stories and opinions regarding dyslexia. If you have access behind either of those newspapers' paywalls, there is some interesting info, so check it out!
School Supplies!
School Supplies!
It is not at all required, but if you are able to contribute to our school supplies, our highest need items are:
*white, 1-inch clearview binders
*fine tip black expo markers
Learning Ally passwords have a NEW standardized format. This is different than last year.
You should be able to login to Learning Ally with your student's name and student ID (sometimes referred to as their lunch number). Their firstname.lastname with a period is the username and their capital initials with their ID number is their password. The password is case sensitive. So for example, a student whose name is Harry Potter with the ID number 012345 would log in the following way:
Two Powerful technology tools for speech-to-Text
Two Powerful technology tools for speech-to-Text
Speechify can be downloaded as an app on an apple or android device or as a chrome extension. It will convert text (even on paper or in a book!) to speech. This app/extension has both free and paid premium content.
Helperbird can be installed as a chrome extension, and it has both free tools and premium tools for a fee. It will simplify webpages so that distractions are limited as well as read text aloud and more.
Your Students are Learning Cursive!
Ask your students at home to show you their new handwriting skills. Students on Kit 3 and above have now mastered all lowercase cursive letters. We would like to begin encouraging them to move to cursive full time for three reasons:
Ask your students at home to show you their new handwriting skills. Students on Kit 3 and above have now mastered all lowercase cursive letters. We would like to begin encouraging them to move to cursive full time for three reasons:
Cursive is a faster method of writing-this allows students whose writing processing time causes them to fall behind during lessons to better keep up with their peers' pace
Cursive letters are less reversible than manuscript print for those dyslexic students who struggle with reversals
The brain connections we've forged while learning cursive during intervention will prime students' brains to also use the other reading and spelling strategies we work on
For more info on the benefits of cursive for dyslexic students. Check out this article from the International Dyslexia Association.
Questions or concerns? Contact us!
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