October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) uses the following definition of dyslexia:  "Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties 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." (IDA/NICHD, 2002)

In 2017, DESE released a document entitled Serving students at-risk for Dyslexia Guidance to LEA which was created to to "provide guidance to local education agencies (LEAs) for identifying and servicing students at-risk for dyslexia or related disorders in accordance with the provisions of Section 167.950, RSMo."  You can review the document here:  MO DESE Dyslexia Guidance.   

The guidance states that "In the 2018-19 school year and subsequent years, each public school, including each charter school, shall conduct dyslexia screenings for students in the appropriate year consistent with the findings and recommendations of the task force created under section 633.420. "Dyslexia screening" is a short test conducted by a teacher or school counselor to determine whether a student likely has dyslexia or a related disorder in which a positive result does not represent a medical diagnosis but indicates that the student could benefit from approved support."  

More information about dyslexia in Missouri, including webinars, can be found in the Dyslexia section of DESE's website here:    DESE Dyslexia Information

As always, please contact MPACT if you have concerns about dyslexia and/or any part of your child's education.