Learning Ally Webinar: Dyslexia and the IEP: How to Make Sure the IEP is in Tip-top Shape

From Learning Ally:
A free webinar, Tuesday, Feb 25, 2014
(Noon to 1:00 CST)
 Dyslexia and the IEP: How to Make Sure the IEP is in Tip-top Shape

Register here:
https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/893467959

Or from the Learning Ally page here
https://www.learningally.org/

Urgent Action Needed: Please ask your Representative to Support H. Res.456 on Dyslexia

The Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity drew my attention to this urgent issue.

January 2014:  Resolution on Dyslexia Introduced to Congress by the Bipartisan Dyslexia Caucus

Please consider asking your Representative in Congress to Support H. Res.456 on Dyslexia. See my letter below and The Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity for more information.

The Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity   http://dyslexia.yale.edu/CassidyHResJan2014.html

Here is my letter to my Representative, based heavily on the sample letter found at The Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity. To write your own letter, follow the link to get their sample letter, or use mine, substituting your own story (or just eliminating that sentence.)

Dear Rep. McCollum,

Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) needs the support of at least 100 U.S. Congress members to bring to a vote H. Res.456 in the House Education and the Workforce committee.  As one of your constituents concerned with the education of all of our children, I am counting on you to support this resolution.

My family lives with the challenges of my daughter's dyslexia every day.

Rep. Cassidy’s Resolution recognizes each major element of dyslexia: its prevalence (1 in 5);  the cognitive and neurobiological bases; its unexpected nature and persistence; its profound impact on education and the critical need for action by schools.

Rep. Cassidy gets it. I hope you also recognize the importance of this issue for so many families.  The Bipartisan Dyslexia Caucus which he co-founded was a major step forward and now the Dyslexia Resolution brings light and understanding, and hopefully action, to ensuring that children who are dyslexic receive the understanding and evidence-based programs and accommodations that they deserve.  Please act now to support Resolution #456 — it will make a difference!

Signed,

Susan Austin
(your address here)


The Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity,  http://dyslexia.yale.edu/CassidyHResJan2014.html

Website: Bipartisan Dyslexia Caucus, http://dyslexiacaucus-cassidy.house.gov/

Read the Text of Resolution 456 here, http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-resolution/456/text

Dyslexia in The Classroom: What Every Teacher Needs to Know, from IDA

The International Dyslexia Association has sent this booklet to many schools as part of a national awareness campaign, and encourages people to share it to help "raise awareness, share best practices, and be a resource to the school's administration and staff." They note that this is good information for parents too.
(I don't agree with all the classroom tips, but there is useful information here. It seems like a useful tool with which to begin a conversation.)


Dyslexia in The Classroom: What Every Teacher Needs to Know

same link here:
http://www.interdys.org/ewebeditpro5/upload/DyslexiaInTheClassroom.pdf

PACER workshop Saturday 2/22/14: Individualized Education Program: Is your child’s IEP individualized and appropriate?

• Individualized Education Program: Is your child’s IEP individualized and appropriate?

  Date: Saturday, February 22, 2014
  Time: 9:00am-11:30am
  Participate in this hands-on PACER Center workshop and learn how to use the valuable information in your child’s special education evaluation report to determine how well the IEP addresses your child’s unique needs. PACER Advocates and PACER-Trained Parent Leaders will guide you through the process to complete a Parent Homework Sheet. Developed and used by PACER advocates, this tool is designed to help parents connect the strengths and needs documented in the evaluation report with the goals, services and supports in the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). To participate in the workshop you will need to bring a copy of each of the following: your child’s most recent school special education evaluation report, and your child’s current IEP. Space is limited. Register online or by phone.
  Location: PACER Center - Map and Address
  Individualized Education Program: Is your child’s IEP individualized and appropriate? -Register for this workshop
• text from PACER website, http://www.pacer.org/workshops/

IDA-UMB 40th Annual Conference

The 40th Annual Conference of the International Dyslexia Association, Upper Midwest Branch (IDA-UMB) will be help on April 11, 2014, at the Saint Paul campus of the University of Minnesota.

More information will be available soon on the IDA-UMB website (link here).

http://www.ida-umb.org/

http://www.ida-umb.org/pages/Annual-Conference-100.cfm

Smart but Scattered workshop February 14, 2014

Groves Academy hosts a workshop Friday, February 14, 2014, Smart but Scattered: Executive Dysfunction at Home and at School. Learn more through the link below.

Link here for Groves workshop: Smart but Scattered