Dyslexia Defined

Dyslexia means a specific learning disability that: is neurological in origin and characterized by difficulties with accurate fluent word recognition; and poor spelling and decoding abilities; typically results from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction; may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge; and may require the provision of special education services after an eligibility determination is made in accordance with 511 IAC 7-40.” 

SEA 217

Indiana Code 20-35.5 et. seq., as created by SEA 217 (2018) requires schools to screen all students in kindergarten through second grade. If students are identified as “at risk” or “at some risk” for dyslexia, then the Indiana Code requires that schools provide tiered interventions to address the needs of these students. The Indiana Department of Education, in conjunction with Indiana University’s School of Education, created this dyslexia toolkit to provide additional information, resources, and materials to support educators as they implement reading interventions with students with the characteristics of dyslexia.   IDOE Guidance

What does this look like in Michigan City Area Schools?

• ALL students in grades kindergarten through 2nd grade must receive an approved universal dyslexia screening and, if appropriate, level 1 assessment in the first 90 school days

• Parents will be notified of test results and risk factors

• If further testing and intervention is required, parents will be notified and required to sign for permission

• Student intervention data will be reviewed and reported 

• Overall universal screening data will be reported on each school's website annually

Universal Screening:

Intervention:

We will be using the Sound Sensible and SPIRE program to deliver the Orton Gillingham approach to teaching reading.  It includes: 

• Explicit Teacher-led Instruction

• Consistent 10 step lesson

• Multisensory learning

• Mastery of Concepts

• Progress Monitoring

Additional Resources

For more information about the new requirements under the law and the tools used, please visit the Indiana Department of Education.

Here you will find the Dyslexia Toolkit that was created with a partnership with the IDOE and Indiana University Bloomington.  

Parent Guide

For more information regarding characteristics of Dyslexia and intervention programming, please contact Shannon Chavis.