North Lamar ISD – Dyslexia Program

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It is characterized by difficulities 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. (Adopted by the International Dyslexia Board of Directors, November 12, 2002).

STAFF

Carol VanDeaver, M.Ed., LDT, CALT
NLISD Dyslexia Coordinator
Goodman Learning Center
903.737.2031, ext. 5005
cvandeaver@northlamar.net

Programs Utilized at NLISD

Turbo Start: A Dyslexia Curriculum for Newly Identified Students
Contains the five components of Effective Reading Instruction (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, reading comprehension). Each component is taught developmentally using a direct, systematic, cumulative, multisensory method of introduction and practice to meet specific needs of newly identified students with dyslexia. The content of Turbo Start is derived from the evidence-based Take Flight curriculum and provides foundational training in five specific components of reading intervention.

Take Flight
A Comprehensive Intervention for Students with Dyslexia is a two-year curriculum written by the staff of the Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia and Learning Disorders at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (TSRHC). Take Flight addresses the essential components outlined by the state of Texas for meeting the literacy needs of students identified with dyslexia and related disorders.

Reading by Design
Reading by Design^®: An Individualized Literacy Intervention is a systematic, multisensory approach aligned with research-based practices for developing literacy. This intervention follows an intensive, explicit, and cumulative design for remediation of reading and writing skills at all grade levels. This comprehensive program addresses the following components: phonological awareness, sound-symbol association, six syllable types, written spelling patterns, morphology, syntax, reading fluency, and comprehension. Progress monitoring and review lessons are embedded throughout the program to inform student progress and promote reading and writing automaticity.

Higgins Elementary
Turbo Start and Take Flight

Aaron Parker Elementary
Turbo Start, Take Flight, Reading By Design

North Lamar Intermediate
Turbo Start, Take Flight, Reading By Design 

Stone Middle School
Turbo Start, Take Flight, Reading By Design

North Lamar High School
Turbo Start and Take Flight

The Dyslexia Handbook

Manual Sobre Dislexia (The Dyslexia Handbook – Spanish)

The Dyslexia Handbook Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (New as of August 9, 2024) - Spanish Coming Soon

District Dyslexia Plan Handbook

Dyslexia and Related Disorders: Information for Parents (New as of September 26, 2024) 

Dyslexia and Related Disorders: Information for Parents (Spanish) (New as of October 3, 2024) 

EVALUATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF DYSLEXIA

The Dyslexia Handbook streamlines the process for identification of dyslexia and clarifies that anytime the district suspects that the student has dyslexia or a related disorder, the district must seek parental consent for a Full Individual Initial Evaluation (FIIE) under the IDEA.

Child Find is a provision in the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a federal law that requires the state to have policies and procedures in place to ensure that every student in the state who needs special education and related services is located, identified, and evaluated. The purpose of the IDEA is to ensure that students with disabilities are offered a free and appropriate public education (20 U.S.C. §1400(d); 34 C.F.R. §300.1). Because a student suspected of having dyslexia may be a student with a disability under the IDEA, the Child Find mandate includes these students. Therefore, when referring and evaluating students suspected of having dyslexia, LEAs must follow procedures for conducting a full individual and initial evaluation (FIIE) under the IDEA. (See the FAQ below.)

For detailed information regarding Child Find see https://spedsupport.tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/2024-01/technical-assistance-child-find-and-evaluation-guide.pdf

(Click the image below)

HB 3928 FAQs: Dyslexia Evaluation, Identification, and Instruction (English)

HB 3928 FAQs: Dyslexia Evaluation, Identification, and Instruction (Spanish)

OVERVIEW OF SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR PARENTS (Click the image below)

IDEA Rights Overview Form (English)

IDEA Rights Overview Form (Spanish) 

Sources for Free Audio Books

North Lamar ISD provides free audio books to students with dyslexia. 

                 Texas Talking Book Program                           Learning Ally Audiobooks

         Texas Talking Book Program Spanish

We shared two PowerPoint presentations at the DYSLEXIA INFORMATION NIGHT. Click on each link below to access those. Contact us if you would like a printed copy. 

PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAM 2024-2025 REGION 8 POWERPOINT PRESENTATION

NL DYSLEXIA INFORMATION NIGHT POWERPOINT PRESENTATION

INFORMATIONAL WEBSITES

Visit these websites for information regarding students with disabilities:

Dyslexia Awareness

TEA Parent Brochure

Parent Resources for Dyslexia Support

7 Things I Wish People Knew About Parenting Kid With Dyslexia

Legal Framework for the Child-Centered Education Process

Partners Resource Network

Special Education Information Center

Texas Project First

Child Find, Evaluation, and ARD Supports Network

Notice of Procedural Safeguards and Parent’s Guide to the ARD Process – Available in 25 languages

International Dyslexia Association

TEA Dyslexia Monitoring

TEA Learn Dyslexia Courses

TEA SPED Tex Parent Resources

SPED Tex Helpline 1-855-773-3839

TEA Dyslexia Fact Sheet – English & Spanish

TEA IDEA Fact Sheet – English & Spanish

State Dyslexia Helpline – 1-800-232-3030

¿Qué es la Dislexia?