# data[].attributes.body
I will take the prospective of secondary counselor at Pecos Middle School. This legal pallet may be used by all counselors in the district as a teaching resource for serving dyslexia students.

I selected this topic as it is relevant to my family.  I have a daughter who we recently found was dyslexic and I feel as though this topic is not often discussed in the upper grades, referring to junior high and above. I am hoping to bring important information to the staff.

# data[].attributes.body
1) I interviewed Cynthia Fields, Director of Special Programs at Pecos Independent School District (PBTISD).  Dyslexia is not a new topic but a relatively minimized issue when at the upper grade levels.  Mrs. Fields has overseen the dyslexia population in PBTISD for the last several years.

2) Dyslexia is an important topic that is often ofterlooked in the upper levels of education.  There are several new laws that have been put into effect in the last year that help with the identification of students with reading disorders. These laws not only affect kindergarten and elementary grades but also junior high.

3). Best Practices:.
Mrs. Fields stated that, "a good dyslexia program can make a world of difference with struggling readers"(personal communication, December 3, 2019)
* Students need a multi-sensory approach when learning strategies in building skills to cope with the learning disorder.
*Assistive technology can give students an advantage when they struggle.
*Helpful arrangements for students might include extra time, spelling assistance, or grades based on ideas rather than spelling.

4) An Emerging Issue:
The main topic during our discussion was the new laws Texas brought into effect last year.  Prior to 2017, Texas state law required school districts to test for dyslexia and related disorders at appropriate times.  In 2018 Texas passed Texas Education Code § 38.003, a law stating that all kindergarten and first graders had to be screened for dyslexia.  The regulation requires all students be screened for dyslexia and related disorders.  This law was passed in November 2018 and the turn around time to be compliant was January 31, 2019.  Schools did not have much time to develop and implement a plan to make sure that all students were screened. In addition to this law, Texas added an additional layer with Texas Education Code § 28.006.  This law broadened the scope of students that would need to be given a reading instrument to diagnose student reading development and comprehension.

Mrs. Fields discussed how PBTISD implemented the testing and how the State of Texas wanted this to be done by January 31 but did not post their approved programs for testing.

# data[].attributes.body
International Dyslexia Association
https://dyslexiaida.org/#

*This association's website provides information about dyslexia.
*There are links that provide information on local contacts, conferences, and workshops about dyslexia.
*Teacher resources along with books to help learn more about dyslexia.

# data[].attributes.body
Reference:
Wegner, R. (2018, February 6).

Missouri tackles challenge of dyslexia screening, services. Retrieved from: https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/02/28/missouri-tackles-challenge-of-dyslexia-screening-services.html on December 7, 2019.

Link: https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/02/28/missouri-tackles-challenge-of-dyslexia-screening-services.html

Summary:
*The article discussed how the state of Missouri is rolling out mandatory screening for grades K-3.
*The state is currently facing many challenges trying to implement and coordinate the screenings and subsequent follow-ups.
*The State of Missouri is trying to put additional funds in place to help cover the cost of the new testing that is being mandated.

# data[].attributes.body
Reference:
Samuels, C. (2018, January 11).

Texas illegally suppressed special education enrollment, ed. dept. finds.  Retrieved from: https://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/speced/2018/01/texas_illegally_suppressed_special_education_enrollment.html

Link:
https://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/speced/2018/01/texas_illegally_suppressed_special_education_enrollment.html

Summary:
*The United States Department of Education found that Texas violated the Individuals with Disabilities Act.
* The special education population went above 8.5%.
*The special education office released a letter to the state outlining several corrective actions. First of all, schools must find and test students who should have been referred for evaluation.  Second, make a plan to provide guidance to the school districts and their responsibilities to special educations.  Third, create a plan for monitoring special education students.
*Texas special education enrollments received lots of attention when news stated that Texas erected roadblocks for students to receive special education services.

# data[].attributes.body
34 CFR §300.307 - Administrative Law:  The state must adopt criteria for determining whether or not a child has a specific learning disability.

Must not require a severe discrepancy.

Must be scientific research based intervention.

https://www.govregs.com/regulations/expand/title34_chapterIII_part300_subpartD_subjgrp57_section300.307

# data[].attributes.body
H.R.1350 — 108th Congress (2003-2004) - Constitutional Law:  This law allocates funds from the IDEA fund to implement early intervention and to coordinate the educational services provided to students.  This additional academic and behavioral support is expected to help students succeed in the regular educational environment.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/1350

# data[].attributes.body
House Bill (HB) 1264 added Texas Education Code, § 42.006,  - Administrative Law: This bill required any Texas public school or open-enrollment charter school to report any student that identifies as dyslexic to the Public Education Information Management Systems (PEIMS). This type of identifiers help the state to collect data on students with dyslexia.

https://tea.texas.gov/Academics/Special_Student_Populations/Dyslexia_and_Related_Disorders

PEIMS Documentation, Texas Educ. Code § 42.006

# data[].attributes.body
, Sec. 38.003 Screening and Treatment for Dyslexia and Related Disorders - Administrative Law:
*Kindergarten and first-grade students should be screened and tested for dyslexia at the end of the year.

*The district shall provide treatment for dyslexia or any other related disorders.

https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._educ._code_section_38.003

Screening of Dyslexia and Related Disorders, Texas Educ. Code §  38.003

# data[].attributes.headline
Slide #10 Local Administrative Law/Policy/Rule

# data[].attributes.subject
Slide #10 Local Administrative Law/Policy/Rule

# data[].attributes.body
The Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD  Procedural Manual For Dyslexia was determined to comply with all state and national policies.
Link:
http://www.pbtisd.esc18.net/upload/page/0088/docs/dyslexia_procedural_manual2012.pdf

Cite: (Pecos Barstow Toyah ISD, 2019)

# data[].attributes.body
Reference:
Texas Education Agency.(2019, November 22). HB 3 in 30: Special Education and Dyslexia.  Retrieved from:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_209cVC1Sic

Link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_209cVC1Sic

Summary:
*This video explains many changes that HB 3 made to Texas Legislation.
*It identifies how to break down and implement dyslexia screeners for students.
*The video gives resources for dyslexia.
*There is a breakdown of the process once dyslexia is identified and how to proceed.

# data[].attributes.headline
Slide #13 Bulleted list of Recommendations / Best Practices for Compliance

# data[].attributes.subject
Slide #13 Bulleted list of Recommendations / Best Practices for Compliance

# data[].attributes.body
Summary:
*Make sure that screenings are done for all students at the appropriate time. Texas Education Code 38.003
*This affects kindergarten and first grade but 7th grade will also need a screener.
*Once screened, evaluate student information.
*Gathered information can be compiled for documentation.
*If student is noted with dyslexia, appropriate services should be provided.
*Services can include multi-sensory approach, assertive technology, and appropriate accommodations.

# data[].attributes.body
This standard states that counselors must demonstrate understanding of issues arising in education.  B-PF 2. Demonstrate understanding of educational systems, legal issues,

policies, research and trends in education
B-PF 3. Apply legal and ethical principles of the school counseling profession

# data[].attributes.body
ASCA. (2017). Role of the school counselor. Retrieved from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/administrators/role-of-the-school-counselor.aspx

Fields, C. (2019, December 3). Personal Interview.

Pecos Barstow Toyah ISD (2019). Retrieved from

Texas Education Agency.(2019, November 22). HB 3 in 30: Special Education and Dyslexia.  Retrieved from:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_209cVC1Sic

Wegner, R. (2018, February 6).

Missouri tackles challenge of dyslexia screening, services. Retrieved from: https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/02/28/missouri-tackles-challenge-of-dyslexia-screening-services.html on December 7, 2019.