Dyslexia Task Force

A Dyslexia Task Force was established in March 2015. Drs. Michelle Picard, ELA Supervisor, and Kelly Krug, ATSS Supervisor, facilitated the development of a 3-5 year plan to more effectively serve students who demonstrate characteristics of dyslexia or are identified as dyslexic.

The Dyslexia Task Force (Dyslexia Task Force Members) met in March, April, May and June of 2015 and developed the attached working document (Dyslexia Task Force Plan).  Members of the Dyslexia Task Force continue to meet to monitor the progress of the plan and to make revisions and additions.

APS Hires Dyslexia Consultant Dr. Kelli Sandman-Hurley, 2016

dysconsultantDr. Kelli Sandman-Hurley is a published author and researcher of dyslexia. She received her doctorate in Literacy with a specialization in reading and dyslexia from San Diego State University and the University of San Diego. She is a trained Special Education Advocate assisting parents and children through the Individual Education Plan (IEP) and 504 Plan process. She is a professional developer for California Library Literacy Services (CLLS) as well as a Literacy Consultant for the San Diego Council on Literacy. She was awarded the Jane Johnson Fellowship and the Commission on Adult Basic Education (COABE) scholarship. Dr. Sandman-Hurley has presented at numerous conferences as well as provided professional development for K-12 teachers.

What is Dyslexia TedTalk by Kelli Sandman-Hurley

Staff Accomplishments since June 2015

Universal Screening

  • Piloted universal screening K-3 PALS, Fall 2015
  • Identified universal screening K-5, PALS PLUS Fall 2016
  • Implemented universal screening in Grades 6-8, Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI)
  • Identified universal screening for high school, SRI

Professional Development

  • Designed and implemented Dyslexia Awareness Training (45 minutes), K-12, Fall 2015
  • Provided access to online course (MindPlay) on Dyslexia
  • Completed the Early Literacy Partnership with George Mason University, which focused on fundamentals in early literacy; also including a module on Dyslexia

Instruction and Intervention

  • Facilitated weekly collaborative team meetings in reading and mathematics in which student achievement data is reviewed and instructional decisions are made for the classroom and in intervention settings
  • Provided ongoing professional development for teaching literacy
  • Facilitated professional learning for teachers and administrators for different intervention approaches designed to support students identified as dyslexic
    • Phono-Graphix
    • Step up to Writing
    • My Virtual Reading Coach
    • Spell Read
    • Orton-Gillingham

Communication and Outreach

  • Developed and published Dyslexia web site
  • Developed and published Dyslexia Brochure in English and Spanish
  • Parent Resource Center facilitated professional learning regarding dyslexia
  • Designed and published Intervention Guidance documents for Elementary and Secondary Schools
  • Updated the ELA Website to include interventions and dyslexia

Dyslexia Consultant

  • Hired a Dyslexia Consultant to provide feedback to APS
  • Dr. Kelli Sandman-Hurley met with several focus groups, conducted a document review, and observed classrooms, report pending, June 2016