NHIDA
serving the dyslexic community
in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont
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Fall 2021 Newsletter - Edited by J. Beaton, N. Kring-Burns, E. Miskinis, E. Lesh
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President's Message
Hello friends of NHIDA,
As a branch, we have been very busy since our last newsletter serving the needs of our members in New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont. Be sure to check out our new website that includes great resources like links to our past and upcoming READ for Parents webinars (see below). Additionally, the board has worked to draft Vermont legislation that would require screening students for indicators of dyslexia and provide structured literacy instruction to all students.
These are unprecedented times in our country and the world, as we begin another school year amid a pandemic. For many families, COVID provided a unique opportunity to witness their children's instruction and to see first-hand their child’s ability to meet school demands. For some families, this glimpse has raised alarm as they see their child being immersed in balanced literacy approaches that fail to directly teach critical reading components like phonemic awareness, phonics, and decoding, instead of focusing on teaching strategies characteristic of poor readers like guessing and skipping words. Many parents and teachers have begun to realize, what the International Dyslexia Association has purported for years, the importance of structured literacy for all readers and especially those who struggle. We know there is a high comorbidity between reading failure and anxiety and depression in children making it especially important that we provide struggling readers with structured literacy instruction when they begin their school experience in kindergarten or even pre-k.
To bring awareness to this important topic, especially during the pandemic, when anxiety is already high, we are excited to present our fall virtual conference on September 24th - Dyslexia & the Whole Child: The Positive Connection between Structured Literacy and Social-Emotional Well-being with special guests Margie B. Gillis, Ed.D. and Linda Siegel, Ph.D. Space is limited, please register today! Click here to continue reading about the sessions in my full letter.
We hope you will join us for this important and informative webinar and our upcoming endeavors.
Be well,
Brenda Peters
MA, MEd, SAIF, ICALP
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NHIDA's Fall Virtual Conference
September 24th from 8:30-3:00 pm
Dyslexia & the Whole Child:
The Positive Connections Between Structured Literacy
and Social-Emotional Wellbeing
Margie Gillis, Ed.D.
Linda Siegel, Ph.D.
Early Bird Registration until Sept. 10, 2021 - $50
Registration after Sept. 11, 2021 - $60
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Certificates of Attendance will be provided for each session.
Recorded sessions will be available to registrants for two weeks.
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Margie B. Gillis, Ed.D. is a nationally recognized literacy expert and a Certified Academic Language Therapist who has been teaching children of all ages to read for over 40 years. She received her Doctorate of Education from the University of Louisville in Special Education. In 2009, Margie founded Literacy How, Inc. to provide professional development opportunities and coaching for teachers on how best to implement evidence-based reading practices in the classroom. She is on the Editorial Board of the International Dyslexia Association, Perspectives and The Reading League Journal. In her capacity as Research Affiliate at Haskins Laboratories, Margie explores opportunities to empower teaching excellence.
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Linda Siegel Ph.D. is the former Dorothy C. Lam Chair in Special Education and an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology and Special Education at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. She has over 200 publications on early identification and intervention to prevent reading problems, dyslexia, reading and language development, mathematical concept learning, mathematical learning disabilities, and children learning English as a second language. She has recently published a book entitled Not Stupid, Not Lazy: Understanding Dyslexia and Other Learning Disabilities published by the International Dyslexia Association.
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NYT Contest Winner from NH Advocates for Dyslexic Students |
Recently Hayden Miskinis, a New York Times Essay Contest Winner, participated in an interview with NHIDA to raise awareness about the challenges facing dyslexic students. Attached is a link to her winning Middle School Level Essay. Click the link below to view her interview.
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Hello Parents! October is Dyslexia Awareness month, and we at NHIDA are happy to continue a program we began last October called READ for Parents.
Beginning in October, we will host free one-hour Zoom sessions for parents every other month focusing on a topic from the IDA Dyslexia Fact Sheets.
If you're not familiar with the fact sheets, be sure to check them out; they are current, relevant, and full of great information.
In addition to our board member panelists, each session will include a guest speaker with deep knowledge of the topic. See below to register for our free October and December Zoom sessions.
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October 13, 2021
Understanding Dysgraphia with
Melissa Farrall, PH.D.
7 p.m. to 8 p.m. via Zoom
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December 8, 2021
Spelling and Dyslexia with
Louisa Moats, ED.D.
7 p.m. to 8 p.m. via Zoom
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February 9, 2022
Oral Language Impairments and Dyslexia
Tiffany Hogan, Ph.D, CCC-SLP
Registration link coming soon!
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A Tribute to William Van Cleave |
NHIDA mourns the passing of William Van Cleave in April 2021. William was a friend to NHIDA, presenting at our Annual Conference in 2017 and again, virtually with Jan Wasowicz, in September 2020. As Jan wrote of William on SpellTalk, "Syntax has lost its exclamation point."
We remember William with great fondness and appreciation for his genius, his wit, and his generosity in teaching us. In memory of William, we include his 3/16/2020 webinar for The PaTTAN Literacy Symposium titled Syntax Matters: The Link Between Sentence Writing and Sentence Comprehending.
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Change is Coming: A roundup of articles describing how legislation and lawsuits are making waves in reading instruction across the country.
Colorado
The 2019 Colorado Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act
(READ Act) requires all districts across Colorado to use reading curriculum backed by science. In addition, the READ Act requires literacy assessment for K-3 students and the development of individual intervention plans based on the assessment results. Finally, all K-3 teachers must complete training on evidence-based reading instruction.
The state has determined that the well-known Lucy Calkins program is not a science-based or evidence-based instructional program; thus, Districts must change. Learn more about this transition within the affluent and well-regarded schools within Denver Public Schools here: Link to article
Learn more about the Colorado READ Act:
California
Berkeley Unified has agreed to settle a 2017 lawsuit alleging it failed to provide an appropriate education for students with dyslexia. The settlement includes universal screening for all District students, improvement of general education for reading, increasing in the systematicity and intensity of Tier 2 and 3 reading intervention, District monitoring of literacy improvement programs, and improvement of IEP and 504 goals and processes. The decision prohibits the use of Fountas & Pinnell Leveled Literacy Intervention and Reading Recovery with students who have suspected reading disabilities. Learn more about the settlement:
Learn more about the Berkeley case generally:
Connecticut
A Connecticut Act, passed in 2021, concerns the right to read and addresses opportunity gaps and equity in public schools. The Act establishes the Center for Literacy Research and Reading Success at the state Department of Education and mandates school districts have reading curriculum based on the science of reading. The Center must approve at least five reading curriculum models or programs that local and regional boards of education can implement. Learn more about the Connecticut changes here:
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NHIDA
serving the dyslexic community
in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont
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Save the Date - Look for our flyer in November!
January 14-28, 2022
Framing Your Thoughts by Project Read
Sentence Structure – 6 Hour Webinar
and/or
Paragraph Structure – 4 Hour Webinar
Free for NHIDA Branch members
$65 for non-members (including members of other IDA branches)
(*cost of materials not included; (materials purchase required)
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Stern Center Professional Learning-Vermont
The Stern Center offers various online courses and workshops including Orton-Gillingham, Fundations, Wilson, etc.
Assessment Institute: The Assessment Institute is designed to support educators in their efforts to bridge the gap between the science of reading, reading instruction and reading assessment. The Assessment Institute requires two semesters of coursework, including a practicum in the second semester.
ONLINE (SYNCHRONOUS)
Melissa Farrall, PH.D, SAIF
Semester I: Sept. 7, 2021 - Dec. 14. 2021
Smester II, 2022: Jan. 11, 2022 - May 10, 2022
Introduction to Orton-Gillingham for Upper Grades
Online. A hybrid of mostly live, synchronous classes and some prerecorded, asynchronous coursework. You are expected to attend all live classes via Zoom.
Amy Ducey, M.Ed., FIT/AOGPE & Peggy Price, M.ED., Fellow/AOGPE
Jan. 7, 2022 - May 6, 2022
Teaching Orton-Gillingham Online webinar recordings
Open Enrollment. How do you deliver your Orton-Gillingham lessons online? Join our Orton-Gillingham Institute for brief on-demand webinars designed to support your transition to online OG instruction.
ONLINE (ASYNCHRONOUS)
PEGGY PRICE, M.ED., FELLOW/AOGPE
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Save the Date!
Wrightslaw Trainings
March 31, 2022: Nashua, NH - Special Education Law and Advocacy Training sponsored by the Parent Information Center of NH. Speaker: Pete Wright
April 14, 2022: Burlington, VT - Special Education Law and Advocacy Training, sponsored by Vermont Family Network. Speaker: Pete Wright
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Teaching, Reading & Learning: The Reading League Podcast
Interview with Linnea Ehri
Episode 11, July 6, 2021
Dr. Linnea Ehri has made significant contributions to our understanding of how children learn to read. In this podcast episode, Dr. Ehri talks about the movement from whole language theories (Kenneth Goodman) to evidence-based practices. Dr. Ehri discusses her influential theory of the phases rather than stages of beginning readers. There are four phases: pre-alphabetic, partial alphabetic, full alphabetic, and consolidated alphabetic. Finally, she discusses her experience as a member of The National Reading Panel.
Interview with Jessica Pasik, Reading Specialist in the State of New York and former Special Education Teacher
Episode 6, March 2, 2021
Ms. Pasik discusses her journey to becoming passionate on the science of reading. Like so many teachers, her initial teacher training did not include instruction on evidenced based practices in reading instruction. Listen as she discusses common myths about the science of reading, her "aha" moment, and why the reading gains of her students changed her practice forever.
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See Hear Speak Podcast: Episode 37: Response to Intervention (RTI)
Host Dr. Tiffany Hogan interviews Mindy Bridges, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Dr. Bridges, an assistant professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center, has research interests in the area of language and reading development and disorders. She has experience as an RTI consultant for a large school district working with practitioners, teachers, SLPs, administrators, on how to implement RTI and problem solving.
In this episode, Dr. Hogan and Dr. Bridges discuss the history of Response to Intervention (RTI) and the benefits and challenges of implementing RTI in schools.
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More Controversy Regarding Lucy Calkins' TCRWP Units of Study Curriculum
An article published in the March 22, 2021 edition of the Columbia Spectator, A Teacher’s College Reading Curriculum is Among the Nation’s Most Popular. Does it Serve English Language Learners?, discusses the effectiveness of the Columbia University Teachers College Reading and Writing Project’s (TCRWP) Units of Study curriculum developed by TCRWP Founding Director Lucy Calkins. Educators and researchers expressed concern that the curriculum does not provide explicit instruction in basic phonological awareness and phonics. The lack of necessary emphasis on being able to read words easily and automatically is particularly concerning to some English Language Learner experts.
It is interesting to note that the article was written in Columbia University's newspaper since Lucy Calkins is the Founding Director of the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project at Columbia University and is a Professor of Children's Literature there.
Click the link below to read and form your own opinion about the effectiveness of TCRWP Units of Study.
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PaTTAN: A 20th Year Celebration of Scarborough's Reading Rope
This 10 month series celebrates the 20th Anniversary of Hollis Scarborough's Reading Rope. Each month a different expert provided an overview of the research pertaining to a strand of the reading rope. The objective of the series is to present current research and move it from research to practice for each strand. Here are the 6 most up-to-date sessions of the 10 part series.
Session 1: Introduction: Dr. Nancy Hennesy presents an introduction of Scarborough’s Reading Rope
Session 2: A Focus on the Phonology Strand with Dr. Lucy Hart Paulson
Session 3: A Focus on the Phonics and Decoding Strand with Dr. Louisa Moats
Session 4: A Focus on the Sight Recognition Strand with Dr. David Kilpatrick
Session 5: A Focus on the Background Knowledge Strand with Dr. Sharon Vaughn
Session 6: A Focus on the Vocabulary Strand with Dr. Susan Neuman
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Join us at ...
The 2021 Reading, Literacy & Learning
Annual IDA Conference
October 21-23, 2021
Charlotte Convention Center
A Hybrid Experience
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ON-LINE INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES
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Orton Oak status is conferred upon
individuals who have been IDA members
for 25 years or longer.
NHIDA is grateful to its Orton Oaks and to these other long-term members for their steadfast commitment to the organization.
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Are you a teacher, parent, individual with dyslexia, professional, school, or other organization?
Become a member of IDA today!
The benefits of membership vary
according to membership level,
Are you a service provider?
Become a member at the professional level and have your name/business included in NHIDA's provider list.
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2021 NHIDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
NHIDA's Board of Directors consists of up to 15 individuals who serve on a volunteer basis for 2 or 3 year terms. Members of the Board are guided and assisted in their work by former Directors who serve on the Advisory Board.
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2021 Board Officers:
President: Brenda Peters, Londonderry, NH
Vice President: Susan Hourihan, South Berwick, ME
Treasurer: Karyn Hubbard, Acton, ME
Secretary: Elizabeth Paul, Concord, New Hampshire
Past President, Aileen Cormier, Milford, NH
2021 Members at Large:
Jayne Beaton, Amherst, NH
Jennifer Cyr, Sanford, ME
Dorinne Dorfman, Waterbury Center, VT
Nancy Kring-Burns, Hollis, NH
Emily Lesh, VT
Brittany Lovejoy, Enosburg, VT
Elaine Miskinis, Epping, NH
Andrea Pollock, Merrimack, NH
Kristine Reilly, Nashua, NH
Heidi Zollman, Strafford, NH
Advisory Board:
Anne Ehret, Arlington, VT
Beth McClure, Canterbury, NH
Caryl Patten, Feeding Hills, MA
Michael Patten, Feeding Hills, MA
Melissa Farrall, St. Albans, VT
Claudia Golda-Dominguez, Hudson, NH
Renee LeCain, Sandown, NH
Sue Morbey, Amherst, NH
Shannon Dixon-Yandow, Essex Junction, VT
Michelle Stinson, Hanover, NH
Sue Lurgio, Merrimack, NH
Dale Vincent, Concord, NH
NHIDA
P.O. Box 3724, Concord, NH 03302-3724
(603) 229-7355 (to leave a message)
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