Legal Padlet - Working with Students with Dyslexia by Lorianne Toombs https://padlet.com/ltoombs/c9yrl1wwblfa Lorianne Toombs Angelo State University Legal and Ethical Principles (EDG-6305) en-us 2019-07-15 21:36:26 UTC 2023-07-16 20:23:33 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-uploads.storage.googleapis.com/366042056/a75e9c8f7a32882f24930d7f1060ebcd/reading.jpg 1. Professional Perspective/Audience/Topic ltoombs https://padlet.com/ltoombs/c9yrl1wwblfa/wish/371226795 As a future administrator with a campus filled with unique individuals, dyslexia students will be among the mix.  As a current math teacher, it is also crucial that I understand all teaching strategies to best aide and help a student identified with dyslexia.  Finally,  I am also the mother of an adult dyslexic, identified in 3rd grade, and I realize the value of a research-based program to help students identified and have personally witnessed the progress that can be gained.  This padlet could of value to other administrators and teachers to provide a more comprehensive view into dyslexia.   This subject is very important because of my daughter and all the students that I have taught that have risen above the identified reading difficulty to overcome any challenge presented.   This year a student I had while teaching third grade and was severally impacted by dyslexia is coming to teach 6th grade English Language Arts and Reading.   Seeing this former students success is inspiring. Being knowledgeable of the laws and providing a highly research-based program can allow other students to see the same success.]]> 2019-07-15 21:44:14 UTC https://padlet.com/ltoombs/c9yrl1wwblfa/wish/371226795 2. The Interview ltoombs https://padlet.com/ltoombs/c9yrl1wwblfa/wish/371226859 Robby Russell, principal, Colorado Middle School, Colorado ISD
     Mr. Russell's knowledge of law and programs was impressive.  When discussing the topic of dyslexia, he identifies the importance for providing the needed support to level the playing field for each student.  Students identified with dyslexia often struggle and become unmotivated and indifferent when challenged.  Through the implementation of a research-based program and guidance by a highly-qualified teacher, struggling students can achieve. The support the law requires and provides can help the learner be encouraged and keep them motivated in their educational journey to success.  
     Mr. Russell identified the three best practices incorporated at Colorado Middle School for dyslexic students:
*Providing a specialized class with individual instruction by a highly- trained teacher to provide support at levels each individual child is requiring.  This also allows for the development of coping skills for student success.
*Small group instruction or even one-on-one instruction is another best practice incorporated to check for mastery before moving on.
*The use of an extended class period is also available to allow students additional time for reading and the development of basic skills.
     Finally, Mr. Russell identifies the emerging issues related to dyslexia that educators should be aware of is understanding the state has mandated that all beginning reader programs utilize phonics in the development of beginning readers.  Teachers must be able to provide data of progress or lack of.  The TPRI is utilized in lower grades, but Mr. Russell asks, "Are we still missing struggling readers therefore failing to provide students with necessary tools and strategies to help them achieve success? (personal communication, July 16, 2019)"  Law makers will continue to have this issue before them and it is up to teachers and administrators to have the data to show what is working and what is not.  

(R. Russell, personal communication, July 16, 2019)

]]> 2019-07-15 21:45:30 UTC https://padlet.com/ltoombs/c9yrl1wwblfa/wish/371226859 3. Professional Association - National Center for Learning Disabilities ltoombs https://padlet.com/ltoombs/c9yrl1wwblfa/wish/371226886 Summary: Wendorf is complimentary of the U.S. Department of Education for letting the states and school districts know that dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia,(specific learning disabilities), may and should be included in a child's individualized education program (IEP) when appropriate. He goes on to stress the importance of identifying a child's unique traits of the disability presented so that their needs can truly be identified. Leaving these words out has hindered this process. Encouragement for states to review their own policies and procedures will be addressed making sure these key learning disabilities are not prohibited.

Wendorf, J.H. (2015) Statement by James H. Wendorf on the U.S. department of education's "dear colleague" letter to states and school districts regarding dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia.  [NCLD Blog]. Retrieved from https://www.ncld.org/archives/blog/statement-by-james-h-wendorf-on-the-u-s-department-of-educations-dear-colleague-letter-to-states-and-school-districts-regarding-dyslexia-dyscalculia-and-dysgraphia]]> 2019-07-15 21:46:06 UTC https://padlet.com/ltoombs/c9yrl1wwblfa/wish/371226886 5. Current News Article ltoombs https://padlet.com/ltoombs/c9yrl1wwblfa/wish/371226898 Samuels identifies that a parent advocacy group, Decoding Dyslexia Texas, wants Texas to admit they have not being doing what is in the best interest of students with dyslexia that may need special education services as well.  This federal report shows Texas failed to identify special education students and opted to serve them through Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  The problem is this does allow the same level of support as Individuals with Disabilities Act ( IDEA).  In an effort to keep special education numbers below 8.5%, many students just remained in a tier of Response to Intervention (RTI) or were served through dyslexia services while much more help was needed for these students.

Samuels, C. A. (2018). Ed. dept. finds Texas suppressed enrollment of special education students. Education Week, 37(17), 6.

https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/01/11/ed-dept-finds-texas-suppressed-enrollment-of.html]]> 2019-07-15 21:46:33 UTC https://padlet.com/ltoombs/c9yrl1wwblfa/wish/371226898 4. Current News Article ltoombs https://padlet.com/ltoombs/c9yrl1wwblfa/wish/371226935   This article is looking at special education as a whole; however, since the federal office of special education programs identified Texas in violation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act following an extensive investigation.  Federal officials discussed Texas dyslexia guidelines that required  that children with difficulty in reading must present an additional disabling condition before they could be tested for special education.  This goes against federal special education law.  So students identified with dyslexia may qualify for special education services as well.

Samuels, C. A. (2018). Feds plan fresh oversight of Texas special education plan. Education Week, 38(11), 15.

https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/10/31/feds-plan-fresh-oversight-of-texas-special.html]]> 2019-07-15 21:47:29 UTC https://padlet.com/ltoombs/c9yrl1wwblfa/wish/371226935 6. Original Source of Law #1 ltoombs https://padlet.com/ltoombs/c9yrl1wwblfa/wish/371226943 The Rehabilitation Act of 1973. 34 C.F.R. Part 104.4

Source of Law – Statutory Law
                  
Summary - Section 504 was the first disability civil rights law to be enacted in the United States. It prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in programs that receive federal financial assistance, and set the stage for enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Section 504 works together with the ADA and IDEA to protect children and adults with disabilities from exclusion, and unequal treatment in schools.

Link - https://www2.ed.gov/policy/rights/reg/ocr/34cfr104.pdf
]]> 2019-07-15 21:47:42 UTC https://padlet.com/ltoombs/c9yrl1wwblfa/wish/371226943 7. Original Source of Law #2 ltoombs https://padlet.com/ltoombs/c9yrl1wwblfa/wish/371226955 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 (2004)

Source of Law – Statutory Law

Summary -   In 1975, Congress first recognized the need to provide a federal law to help ensure that local schools would serve the educational needs of students with disabilities. The law they originally passed was titled the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. That first special education law has undergone several updates over the past 30 years. In 1990 the law got a new name – The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA. The most recent version of IDEA was passed by Congress in 2004. It can be referred to as either IDEA 2004 or IDEA. IDEA gives states federal funds to help make special education services available for students with disabilities. It also provides very specific requirements to ensure a free appropriate public education (FAPE) for students with disabilities

Link - https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title20/chapter33&edition=prelim
]]> 2019-07-15 21:48:06 UTC https://padlet.com/ltoombs/c9yrl1wwblfa/wish/371226955 8. Original Source of Law #3 ltoombs https://padlet.com/ltoombs/c9yrl1wwblfa/wish/371226967 (Tex. Admin. Code § 74.28)

Source of Law – Administrative Law

Summary –  This administrative law requires that students with dyslexia or related disorders be allowed access to each program under which the student qualifies for services for.  Procedures must be established for identifying a student with dyslexia and providing appropriate, evidence-based instruction services within the district.  The use of the state “Dyslexia Handbook: Procedures Concerning Dyslexia and Related Disorders” can guide districts more specifically into this law.

Link - https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=74&rl=28
]]> 2019-07-15 21:48:19 UTC https://padlet.com/ltoombs/c9yrl1wwblfa/wish/371226967 9. Original Source of Law #4 ltoombs https://padlet.com/ltoombs/c9yrl1wwblfa/wish/371226972 (Tex. Educ. Code § 38.003)

Source of Law – Statutory Law

Summary – Texas requires students be screened or tested for dyslexia or related disorders.  This law is more specific identifying screening at the end of the school year for each student in kindergarten and first grade.  This statutory law proceeds to give the definition of dyslexia as a disorder of constitution origin manifested by a difficulty in learning to read, write, or spell, despite conventional instruction, adequate intelligence, and socio-cultural opportunity.

Link - https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.38.htm#38.003
]]> 2019-07-15 21:48:29 UTC https://padlet.com/ltoombs/c9yrl1wwblfa/wish/371226972 10. Local Administrative Law/Policy/Rule ltoombs https://padlet.com/ltoombs/c9yrl1wwblfa/wish/371226990 Local Policy CISD FB (LOCAL) states to identify a section 504 coordinator.  This is important to make sure our district stays in compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.  If our district believes a student has a disability that may need more support than just the regular education classroom then additional support shall be offered based on referrals, evaluation, and services when evaluation proves necessary.

https://pol.tasb.org/Policy/Search/899?filter=fb%20local

CISD FB (LOCAL)]]> 2019-07-15 21:48:58 UTC https://padlet.com/ltoombs/c9yrl1wwblfa/wish/371226990 11. Ethical Principles ltoombs https://padlet.com/ltoombs/c9yrl1wwblfa/wish/371227002 Standard 3.4 identifies an ethical violation as an administrator in regards to dyslexia or reading difficulties.  An educator is not to exclude a student from participating in a program or deny benefits to a student based on any reason including but not limited to disabilities.  It is our ethical code to provide a student with the help needed when they are not seeing success in the classroom.  We must never take the attitude the next teacher can identify the learning disability or we will let the administration deal with the struggling students, but fail to have documentation of the need the child is presenting.
19 Tex. Admin. Code § 247.2 (1998)

https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=4&ti=19&pt=7&ch=247&rl=Y]]> 2019-07-15 21:49:16 UTC https://padlet.com/ltoombs/c9yrl1wwblfa/wish/371227002 12. Non-Law Source ltoombs https://padlet.com/ltoombs/c9yrl1wwblfa/wish/371227012 The dyslexia handbook is instrumental in Texas schools with dyslexic students.  This handbook contains definitions and characteristics of dyslexia.  It identifies procedures  that schools should implement to assess, identify, and help dyslexic students.  It also identifies evidence based components to dyslexia instruction.  Also always be aware of the updates to this handbook is essential for each school year.
https://tea.texas.gov/academics/dyslexia/]]> 2019-07-15 21:49:28 UTC https://padlet.com/ltoombs/c9yrl1wwblfa/wish/371227012 13. List of Recommendations/Best Practices for Compliance ltoombs https://padlet.com/ltoombs/c9yrl1wwblfa/wish/371227025 A child that is struggling in reading should never feel they can not be successful.  As an administrator my job is to give my teachers the tools and knowledge to identify students in need.  In the area of reading difficulties, dyslexia may be the issue and there are so many research-based programs that students are achieving high levels of success.  The laws are on the side of our students and the help we are to provide.  We must make every effort to provide what is needed.    The most important recommendations related to dyslexia would be as a teacher:
1.   Identify as early as possible, it will be easier to provide remediation.
2.  Collect all the data you can to know the best direction to go for providing assistance to a student.
3.  Refer the child once you realize there is a reading issue that is not being corrected by research-based instructional strategies in the classroom.

As an administrator:
4.  Provide the best research-based program to fit the needs of the students.
5.  Have a highly-trained teacher teach the program and assess the students' progress or lack of.
6.  Never stop evaluating and assessing looking for growth so that if a student is still not showing adequate growth other options may need to be considered such as special education.
7.  Make sure your teachers are aware and using accommodations to help students see success not just on STAAR testing but in the students daily educational setting.
8.  Know the law.  By not understanding or following the laws from federal to state to local, you could be setting the stage for a law suit for your district.]]> 2019-07-15 21:49:47 UTC https://padlet.com/ltoombs/c9yrl1wwblfa/wish/371227025