Hot Topics in Dyslexia & Literacy From Editor's Desk (CDL Conf. 2015)

From the Editors Desk

Carolyn D. Cowen Feb. 10, 2015

HOT TOPICS In Dyslexia & Literacy:

#PlainTalkNOLA Cowen

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Boston: Brrr

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NOLA: Ahhh

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Happy!

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Not Happy

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Boston NOLA

Krewe of

Barkus

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Boston

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NOLA

NOLA Feb 10!!

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Map of This Talk

1:30-2:55Hot Topics: Dyslexia & Literacy

5 HOT TOPICS

1. Dyslexias Upside 2. DSM5 & Dyslexia 3. The Dyslexia Debate 4. Teacher Preparation 5. Legislation


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5 HOT TOPICS



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{ {

SURVEY How many of you are familiar with these issues?

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Poll #1



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AIMS: Explore complex topics shaping the dyslexia-literacy landscape Get perspectives on this shifting terrain Follow paths to deeper exploration

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Well use several dierent lenses to get various perspectives

5 HOT TOPICS 2 lenses

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Two PublicaQons International Dyslexia Association Examiner

Literate Nation Catalyst

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Interna,onal Dyslexia

Associa,on Examiner

Social Media Editor/Strategist

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Literate Nation Catalyst Executive Editor

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INTERNATIONAL DYSLEXIA ASSOCIATION (IDA)

Venerable Promotes eective teaching & interventions for students w/ dyslexia Promotes research Disseminates research-based knowledge

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LITERATE NATION

Young Promotes evidence-based reading instruction for SEEDS students Supports eorts to enact/ implement state literacy/dyslexia legislation

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LITERATE NATION

Struggling Readers Economically disadvantaged youth English language learners, and students w/ Dyslexia and other Specic learning disabilities

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SEEDS

LITERATE NATION

Young Promotes evidence-based reading instruction for SEEDS students Supports eorts to enact/ implement state literacy/dyslexia legislation

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Evidence-based reading instruction for every child in every classroom

across the nation

OVERLAP

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Literacy Dyslexia

Concerns about dyslexia & literacy go hand in hand

DISCLAIMER Drawing from my experiences as: Social Media Editor/ Strategist for IDAs Examiner

Not necessarily views of IDA or LN

Executive Editor of LNs Catalyst

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Poll #2

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STAGE-MODEL LENS

PARENT

EDUCATOR

Poll #3

PARENT EDUCATOR

PARENT STAGES

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GRIEF

STAGE-MODEL LENS Parents of children w/ learning dierences (e.g., dyslexia) often travel through stages similar to grief stages.

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Kbler-Ross

Stages of Grief

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When our children are born, we tend to imagine scenes more like this

Above Average

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LAKE WOBEGONE EFFECT

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School

than scenes like this!

My Child has Dyslexia!

Stages: Parenting Kids w/ Dyslexia

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Search for answers

Diagnosis

Relief

@school



Crisis

Worries/Doubts

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Search for answers

Diagnosis

Relief

@school

Fight

for my kid!

Find community

& support

Learn rights/responsibilities

Nurture my kids strengths



Crisis

Worries/Doubts

Learn to advocate

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Search for answers

Diagnosis

Relief

@school

Fight

for my kid!

Fight

for kids like mine

Find community

& support



Learn more about dyslexia

& related issues



Crisis

Worries/Doubts

Learn to advocate

Forge strategic alliances/partnerships

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Search for answers

Diagnosis

Relief

@school

Fight

for my kid!

Fight

for kids like mine

Find community

& support



Learn more about dyslexia

& related issues

Learn about EBP, Implementation

Science, ed-policy, legislation, etc

(sustainable change)

Improve system for ALL kids



Crisis

Worries/Doubts

Learn to advocate

Forge strategic alliances/partnerships

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I.

II.

III.

IV.

V.

Parents: What stage(s) are you in?

Poll #4

PROFESSIONAL GROWTH

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EDUCATOR STAGES

PROFESSIONAL GROWTH

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EDUCATOR STAGES

IDAs KNOWLEDGE & PRACTICE STANDARDS: Absence of substantive content & rigor Few tests aligned with current research

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Poll #5

Were you adequately prepared/trained

at the start of

your career to...

Recognize early signs of risk? Prevent reading problems? Teach students w/ dyslexia?

STAGE MODEL LENS Sharpen Focus/Eorts

PARENT STAGES

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Pair/Share #1

EDUCATOR STAGES

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1. Dyslexias Upside

2. DSM5 & Dyslexia

3. The Dyslexia Debate

4. Teacher Preparation

& Dyslexia

5. Dyslexia Legislation

1

3 2

Aims Perspectives Scope

5 HOT TOPICS

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Does Dyslexia have an upside?

Oct 2014 Mar 2012 Jan 2014

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HEADLINES

Sparked by media attention Reviews science & oers CD framework to understand upsides & decits

Upside of dyslexia? Science scant, but intriguing Mar 2012

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Small neural dierences leading to cognitive strengths/weakness that dier from person to person

Humanitys collective neural heterogeneity

Adaptive advantage, enabling the human species to capitalize on individuals strengths

Cerebro diversity

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CD

Dr. Gordon Sherman

Poll #6

Dr. Ken Pugh

Reviews various perspectives/ hypotheses

Dyslexia & Visuospatial Processing Strengths: New Research Sheds Light

HEADLINES

Reports new Haskins research

Conducts Q&A w/ Dr. Pugh

Jan 2014

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HEADLINES Behaviorally, subjects with dyslexia showed a visuospatial advantage

FMRI activation patterns suggest neural tradeo

Impossible Figures

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CAUTIONS The advantage in Impossible Figures appears reliable nonetheless a small dierence in speed.

Not a major dierence ... Thus, we dont want to overstate the impact of this speed advantage in real world contexts.

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Dr. Ken Pugh

Cannot determine from this study why dyslexic brain processes Impossible Figures more eciently

Cannot rule out this advantage is a consequence of less reading experience compared to controls ... Do not know if cause or consequence

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CAUTIONS

Dr. Ken Pugh

Why Study Dynamic Visual-Spatial Thinking in Dyslexia?

HEADLINES

Dr. Je Gilger

Conducts Q&A w/ Dr. Gilger Reviews various perspectives, hypotheses, debate Reviews 3 new UC Merced studies

Oct 2014

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HEADLINES STUDY #1: Gifted adults w/ dyslexia performed similarly to gifted normal readers on behavioral tasks but used dierent neural processes to solve spatial problems

Gihed adults w/ dyslexia

Gihed normal readers

Similar performance; Dierent neural

processes

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HEADLINES STUDY #2: Adults w/ dyslexia process complex, dynamic spatial information dierently than those without dyslexia

Adults w/ dyslexia

Normal readers

Dierent neural processes for solving dynamic 3-D spaQal

problems

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HEADLINES STUDY #3: Adults w/ dyslexia and are gifted resemble adults w/ dyslexia who are NOT gifted in behavioral tests & activation patterns

Dyslexia Gihed

Control group

Gihed No dyslexia

Reading compensaQon changes how adult brains process text & spaQal

info?

Dyslexia only

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Sample small, although involved four groups of carefully selected & matched subjects.

First such study interpretations and extensions need to be made cautiously.

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CAUTIONS

Dr. Je Gilger

Theres a drive to consider people w/ dyslexia as one homogeneous group. They are not! Each has unique

strengths/weaknesses.

Important to look at individual & not make assumptions about what someone can/cant do based on summaries of research.

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CAUTIONS

Dr. Je Gilger

Does Dyslexia have an upside?

Oct 2014 Mar 2012 Jan 2014

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TAKE-AWAYS

Be cautious about over interpreting upside results BUT keep an open mind about dyslexias unanswered questions & complexities & possibilities

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UPSIDE DEBATE HEPTAGRAM 1. Disability Paradigm is incomplete; myriad examples of upsides/ high talent exist

2. Still not enough

research; its just an

illusory correlation

3. Illiteracy so damaging, teaching reading is

THE priority

4. Technology is rendering print literacy less vital

5. Literacy will remain gateway for participation in society

6. High prole success stories oer lifelines of hope for those struggling

7. Upside stories can disappoint; for every celebrity success story, thousands struggle

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4 5

3

2 7

6

1

DYSLEXIA

Poll #7 Pair/ Share #2

5 HOT TOPICS

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DSM-5 & Dyslexia What are the implications?

May 2012 Jan 2014 Cowen

DSM-5 Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

Published by American Psychiatric Association (APA) Includes codes for all recognized mental health disorders

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HEADLINES Alerted dyslexia community DSM5 would NOT include proposed new language incorporating dyslexia. (Included CTA petition)

May 2012 May 2012

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Poll #8

HEADLINES Dr. Tannocks Q&A delves into DSM-5 diagnostic criteria of Specic Learning Disabilities

Jan 2014

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TANNOCK New SLD diagnostic criteria reects

Elimination of IQ-achievement discrepancy requirement; replaced w/ 4 new criteria

Overarching SLD category w/speciers diculties in reading, writing, math

Dr. Rosemary Tannock

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TANNOCK SEES 3 POSITIVE IMPLICATIONS

1. DSM5 facilitates understanding that increasing learning demands trigger developmental changes in SLD manifestations AND helps increase awareness that dyslexia encompasses more than decoding/encoding diculties

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2. Eliminating IQ-Achievement Discrepancy means lengthy/costly neuropsychological assessment no longer required for diagnosis (BTW: robust evidence shows Discrepancy Formulas conceptually/statistically awed)

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3. New criteria calls for evidence of symptom persistence & wider array of data to conrm/quantify low academic achievement which may encourage educator-clinician-parent collaboration to compile formal/informal data

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May 2012 Jan 2014 Cowen

DSM-5 & Dyslexia What are the implications?

TAKE- AWAYS

Dyslexia not diagnostic category in DSM4 either Speciers might enhance diagnosis & treatment Bears watching; time will tell

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MORE TAKE-AWAYS

Dyslexia often more than decoding/encoding

Parent-school-psychologist collaboration yields deeper understanding, better outcomes Psychometric data incomplete

Increasing demands compound developmental manifestations

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5 HOT TOPICS


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The Dyslexia Debate Worth learning about!

April 2014 June 2014

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HEADLINE (Winter/Spring 2014)

Argues dyslexia NOT a scientically rigorous construct for research or educational/clinical practice

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Does NOT dispute existence of biologically-based reading diculties

Proposes term reading disabilities instead

HEADLINES

Drs. Julian Elliol & Elena Grigorenko

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HEADLINES

Many states incorporating dyslexia & IDA-NICHD denition into dyslexia laws

IDA President Hal Malchow

IDA RESPONSE

April 2014

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At IDA, we understand science behind reading disorders

Also understand power of common language & mission/purpose it provides

IDA RESPONSE CONT.


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Dyslexia, a beauQful word. True, describes a category of learning disorders.

But, also describes community, body of knowledge, category of law, more positive sense of self, belief about progress we can achieve together.

IDA RESPONSE CONT.


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HEADLINES WOLF RESPONSE

Much to learn from this book! Six insights

Dr. Maryanne Wolf

June 2014

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1. Sciences search for parsimony has led to simplistic 1-dimensional explanations w/ various names 2. History of dierent explanations and names of dyslexia has origins in complexity of the reading circuit

SIX INSIGHTS

Dr. Maryanne Wolf

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3. The brain can/does make dierent reading circuits! May be a dierent reading circuit in some children genetically based and that advantages the RIGHT hemisphere for normally LEFT hemisphere tasks

Dr. Maryanne Wolf

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SIX INSIGHTS

4. All this dynamic complexity makes understanding dyslexia research dicult (Note: Hence, the challenge w/ a scien,cally rigorous construct of dyslexia)

Dr. Maryanne Wolf

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SIX INSIGHTS

5. Grigorenko illuminates how geneQcs of dyslexia is connected to structural & behavioral research

6. Diers with authors conclusions asserts THREE addiQonal points .

Dr. Maryanne Wolf

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SIX INSIGHTS

NOT UP FOR DEBATE Children w/ dyslexia best served w/ diagnosis & explanation of their reading diculties

No one w/ dyslexia should feel they are lazy, less smart!

That dyslexias construct (like reading) is complex, no reason to return to gen. termse.g., Reading Disabilities

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Dr. Maryanne Wolf

The Dyslexia Debate Worth learning about!

April 2014 June 2014

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TAKE-AWAYS The various hallmark

characterisQcs of dyslexia fall along

conQnuums of severity that are not xed can change

across lifespan & improve especially w/ good teaching.

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Dyslexia, like ADHD, auQsm spectrum disorder, is LESS a disQnct

syndrome w/ clear diagnosQc markers & obvious demarcaQons; MORE a developmental mulQdimensional-

spectrum condiQon.

Therein lies one of the great challenges in dyslexias

MORE TAKE-AWAYS

construct thus, in how individuals with dyslexia are identied and, consequently, for whom treatments and resources are allocated and accommodated granted.

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5 HOT TOPICS

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July 2014 June 2013 July 2014

Are teachers being prepared to teach vulnerable students?

Teacher Prep Reform

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HEADLINES National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) releases reports on how well US Schools of Ed. prepare teachers to enter classrooms. Also released in US News & World Report. hlp://www.nctq.org

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HEADLINES Reported on 1st edition of NCTQs Teacher Prep Review evaluating 1,100+ colleges/universitys preparing elementary & secondary teachers. Which does best/weakest job preparing new teachers?

June 2013

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HEADLINES Both Examiner & Catalyst reported release of 2nd edition of NCTQs Teacher Prep Review. Neither report positive (though 2nd mentions early evidence teacher prep programs making changes). Both controversial.

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July 2014

July 2014

Teacher PreparaQon Another Approach

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Mar 2014 May 2012

Teacher Prep Reform Two very dierent

approaches

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July 2014 June 2013 July 2014

Are teachers being prepared to teach vulnerable students?

Teacher Prep Reform

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Teacher prep reform & targeted PD are key, but HOT BUTTON issues that iname passions & get

TAKE-AWAYS

highly politicized. Watch for these to be even more contentious & central in dyslexia/literacy legislation.

Teacher Prep Reform

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5 HOT TOPICS

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Dyslexia & Literacy LegislaQon Levers for change

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OH Senate passed HB 96 & 157 Dec. 14

Dec. 2011

Watch the Bill pass

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Ohio Passes Dyslexia LegislaQon

Ohio, New Jersey, Wisconsin, South Carolina

Jan 2012 Feb 2013

Examiner Reporting & Mobilizing

Aug 2013 Mar 2014 Dec. 2011

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HEADLINES: LESSONS

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Deborah Lynam

Dr. Gordon Sherman

Dr. Charlole Andrist

Elenn Steinberg

Looking back at lessons from your states dyslexia legislation eorts as well as ahead at future challenges and opportunities, what ONE thing rises to the top of your mind as the most important consideration going forward in your state or for those who follow in your footsteps in other states?

HEADLINES: LESSONS

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Using the IDA-NICHD denition of dyslexia made all the dierence in NJ. It was the science-based stepping stone to everything else .

Deborah Lynam

Dr. Gordon Sherman

Legislation is important, but the impact is in the implementation. Building coalitions is key. Schools, administrators, teachers need to buy in. Being mandated is a start; understanding WHY is most powerful. We have a big knowledge-practice gap to ll.

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Too often, as parents we think dyslexia legislation will x a broken system. We cannot seEle for unfunded mandates and minimal programs to educate teachers. Make public your quest. Con,nue to push to get colleges of educa,on to produce teachers who know how to teach reading.

HEADLINES: LESSONS

Dr. Charlole Andrist

Elenn Steinberg

Its all about having a well-placed advocatefor example, a senator, congressman, or state school board member of a child with dyslexia. You must do your homework, educate, and network, but a strong and passionate advocate is a must.

21 States Reported to Have Passed Dyslexia LegislaQon or Underway Arkansas Colorado Connecticut Hawaii Indiana Iowa Kentucky Louisiana

Massachusetts Mississippi Missouri New Jersey New Mexico Ohio Pennsylvania Tennessee

Texas Virginia Washington West Virginia Wyoming

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Catalyst Tools/Support for Mobilizing June Launch 2014 Summer 2014 Fall 2014

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U.S. literacy pproblem

State Literacy LegislaQon LESSONS FROM: Colorado Connecticut Minnesota

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literatenaQon.org

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Model Legislation to Promote literacy Remediate dyslexia

literatenaQon.org Cinthia Colet

Elenn Steinberg

April 2012

June 2012

Dyslexia Goes to Congress May 2012 Jan. 2014 July. 2014

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Dyslexia Goes to Congress

Chair, Lamar Smith Hon. Bill Cassidy Hon. Julia Brownley

Dr. Sally Shaywitz Dr. Peter Eden Mr. Max Brooks Dr. Guinevere Eden Ms. Stacy AnQe

Cowen Dr. Rich Long

Poll #9

HEADLINES

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Dyslexia & Literacy LegislaQon Levers for change

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TAKE-AWAYS

Nothing like a Mom On a Mission (MOM), but parents need good information, resources and support to carry the load

A strong/important legislative movement is underway, but top-down mandates are not enoughnecessary, not sucient.

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TAKE-AWAYS Colorados READ Act under re

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TAKE-AWAYS Watch for coming Examiner & Catalyst articles on Implementation Science

nirm.fpg.unc.edu

5 HOT TOPICS

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Dyslexias Upside

DSM5 & Dyslexia

The Dyslexia Debate

Teacher Prep & Dyslexia

Dyslexia LegislaQon

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& LITERACY DYSLEXIA 5 HOT TOPICS

Can we integrate these TAKE- AWAYS into coherent picture?

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Can we integrate these TAKE- AWAYS into coherent picture?

Dyslexia not only reects the underlying complexity of the reading circuit, but also is a byproduct of cerebrodiversity (CD), which may yield an atypical reading circuit that advantages right hemisphere for typically leh-hemisphere tasks.

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Dyslexia, CD, and Reading Circuit ComplexiQes Are Intertwined

Dyslexia: A neurodevelopmental, language-based reading diculty thats less a disQnct syndrome & more a mulQdimensional spectrum condiQon w/ various hallmark characterisQcs falling along malleable conQnuums of severity.

MulQdimensional spectrum

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Dyslexia: Neurodevelopmental, MulQdimensional, Spectrum, Malleable

Therein lies the CHALLENGE in dyslexias constructthus, in how individuals w/ dyslexia are diagnosed or idenQed & for whom treatment & resources are allocated & accommodaQons granted.

OUT OF THE BOX THINKERS

Therein also lies the PROMISE. Individuals w/dyslexia benet from appropriate intervenQons & do contribute to society, someQmes in extraordinary ways.

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Therein Lie Challenge & Promise

FINALLY, key soluQons do lie in reforming teacher prep & PD and in enacQng/ implemenQng dyslexia/ literacy legislaQon.

BUT dyslexias complexiQes, poliQcs/challenges of ed. reform, principles of implementaQon science do NOT point to simple answers/xes.

x Our soluQons MUST be informed by dyslexias complexiQes, bolstered by legislaQon aligned w/ science-based reading research, grounded in the science of implemenQng change.

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NO SIMPLE SOLUTIONS

Thats how it looks from where I sitfrom the vantage point of the editors desk


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Dyslexias Upside

DSM5 & Dyslexia

Dyslexia Debate

Teacher Prep & Dyslexia

Dyslexia Legislation

DYSLEXIA LITERACY LANDSCAPE

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DYSLEXIA LITERACY LANDSCAPE

DSM5 & Dyslexia

Dyslexias Upside

Dyslexia Debate

Teacher Prep

Dyslexia Legislation

Dynamic, converging, colliding

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ESEA

Reauthorization

Elections

Economy

Pendulum Swings in Education

Education Reform

Testing backlash

Federal

Role in

Education

Federal Role in Teacher Education

Charter Schools

IDEA Funding

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AIMS: Explore complex topics shaping the dyslexia-literacy landscape Get perspectives on this shifting terrain Follow paths to deeper exploration

I.

II.

III.

IV.

V.


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Do I know what I need to know to teach my students what they need to succeed?

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These & similar groups are vital

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Some of the groups helping to shape the dyslexia-literacy landscape in good ways

Find 2/Share 2

Pair/Share #3

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Thank you!


1. Dyslexias Upside

2. DSM5 & Dyslexia

3. The Dyslexia Debate

4. Teacher Preparation

& Dyslexia

5. Dyslexia Legislation

1

3 2

Dr. G. Reid Lyon 2013 PBIDA Conference

Kids in 3rd grade already were emotionally devastated. Id ask them to read out loud and saw fear in their eyes. By nine years of age, theyd already failed. How do we stop this before it starts?

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These vulnerable learners are the canaries in educations coal mine

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Humanitys adaptive advantage

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CEREBRODIVERSITY

Its in our interest to ensure that diverse thinkers can contribute to society

NOLA Feb 10!!

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Questions?

The End!

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Tomorrow: Boston

NOLA Feb 10!!

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Questions?

The End!

Dyslexias Upside DSM5 & Dyslexia Dyslexia Debate

Teacher Prep & Dyslexia Dyslexia Legislation And more!

Also see: scoop.it/t/dyslexia-diablogue-ida-examiner slideshare.net/carolyndcowen

FURTHER READING ON

Find me on Twitter: cdcowen

Follow links to Examiner & Catalyst on these sites interdys.org literatenation.org

CREDIT/DISCLAIMER: Images licensed from istock.com (unless otherwise stated). Images used for illustrative purposes only; any person depicted is a model (unless otherwise stated).

Cowen