Dyslexia
What is Dyslexia?
The current definition from the International Dyslexia Association states: Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result 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. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.
To learn more:
- Read Understood's article on dyslexia
- View TEA Dyslexia Handbook.
*The Dyslexia Handbook 2021 Update: IMPORTANT CHANGES FOR FAMILIES TO UNDERSTAND English | Spanish
Dyslexia and School District/Charter School Requirements
Texas Education Code §38.003:
Students enrolling in public schools shall be tested for dyslexia at appropriate times. - The board of trustees of each school district or charter school shall provide for the treatment (i.e., instruction) of any student determined to have dyslexia. Texas Administrative Code §74.28: - The board of trustees of a school district or charter school must ensure that procedures for identifying a student with dyslexia and for providing appropriate instructional services to the student are implemented. - A school district or charter school shall purchase or develop its own reading program for students with dyslexia, as long as the program is characterized by the descriptors found in The State Dyslexia Handbook ~ Revised 2018. - Each school district or charter school must provide each identified student access at his or her campus to the services of a teacher trained in dyslexia and related disorders. - Each school district or charter school shall provide a parent education program for parents/guardians of students with dyslexia. Teacher Training Requirements: Teachers who provide instruction for students with dyslexia: - Must have valid Texas teaching certificates for the particular grade level(s) that they teach - Must be trained in dyslexia and related disorders - Must be trained in the program the district has developed or purchased for use with students with dyslexia as well as in instructional strategies that utilize individualized, intensive, multisensory, phonetic methods.
Serving the Student with Dyslexia
TBP provides a program for all students with dyslexia. Each student is served by a trained dyslexia specialist on the home campus. The TBP Dyslexia Program includes the components of phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary development, reading fluency, and reading comprehension strategies. The instructional strategies utilize research-based, explicit, multisensory phonetic methods and a variety of writing and spelling components to meet the specific learning needs of each individual student. Instruction is organized and presented in a way that follows a logical, sequential plan and proceeds at a rate commensurate with each student’s needs, ability level, and demonstration of progress. A request for a dyslexia evaluation may be made at any time during or after receiving intervention if the student is not responding to the intervention and demonstrates characteristics of dyslexia.