With the passage of IC20-35.5, et seq., as created by SEA 217 (2018) in April 2018, Indiana school corporations and charter schools' reading plans must now include screening for dyslexia risk factors and indicators in grades K-2.  If a student is determined to be at-risk for dyslexia, the school will administer an additional dyslexia screener (with parent permission), which will identify whether or not the student needs to be referred for further testing.  It also requires schools to use specific response to intervention processes if screeners indicate certain characteristics of dyslexia are present.

House Enrolled Act 1108 defines dyslexia as:
A specific learning disability that:
(1) is neurological in origin and characterized by: difficulties with accurate or fluent word recognition and poor spelling and decoding abilities;
(2) typically results 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;;
(3) may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge; and
(4) may require the provision of special education services after an eligibility determination is made in accordance with Article 7.

*Please note that under this definition, dyslexia falls under the category of specific learning disability in the school corporation.  Schools are not qualified to formally diagnose dyslexia.  Formal diagnoses are obtained from a medical doctor.

Video: What is Dyslexia?

In accordance with the new legislation, Northwestern School Corporation has hired full-time Reading Specialists for each elementary to assist in administering dyslexia screeners, providing necessary intervention to students, and monitoring progress.  Robyn Dill (robyn.dill@nwsc.k12.in.us) serves Northwestern Elementary and Jodi Schoolman(jodi.schoolman@nwsc.k12.in.us) serves Howard Elementary..  Please feel free to reach out to our Reading Specialists with questions or concerns you may have.

During the 2023-2024 school year, all K-2 students were required to complete initial screening for characteristics of dyslexia. 

What kind of tests are given for the dyslexia screening?

NWEA Map Reading Fluency Dyslexia Screener is used to assess all 6 areas:

1. Phonological/Phonemic Awareness

2. Alphabet Knowledge

3. Sound/Symbol Relationship

4. Decoding

5. Rapid Naming

6. Encoding

If a student demonstrates a need for further testing in order to determine specific skill deficits, parent permission will be required prior to administering what is know as a Level I screener.  This next level of screening includes:

1. Phonological/Phonemic Awareness - MA Rooney Quick Phonics Screener Phonemic Awareness

2. Alphabet Knowledge - MA Rooney Quick Phonics Screener Alphabet Subset

3. Sound/Symbol Relationship - MA Rooney Quick Phonics Screener Auditory Drill, Writing Portion

4. Decoding - MA Rooney Quick Phonics Screener Word List

5. Rapid Naming - N/A, use results from universal screener

6. Encoding - MA Rooney Quick Phonics Screener Spelling Pattern-Based Words

How many students were screened for characteristics of dyslexia during the 2023-2024 school year?

Initial Screening:
Howard Elementary - 99 students
Northwestern Elementary - 281 students

Level I Screening:
Howard Elementary - 1 students
Northwestern Elementary - 0 students

How many students were identified as At Risk/At Some Risk for characteristics of dyslexia during the 2023-2024 school year?

Students who scored below benchmark on three of the six initial screeners were identified as "At Some Risk" of demonstrating characteristics of dyslexia, while students who scored below benchmark in four or more of the six initial screeners were identified as "At Risk" of demonstrating characteristics of dyslexia.

What intervention programs are used to assist students with characteristics of dyslexia?

Intervention programs used at Northwestern School Corporation to assist students with characteristics of dyslexia include:

• Heggerty Phonemic Awareness

• Orton-Gillingham

• Recipe for Reading

Throughout the 2022-2023 school year, 14 students in Grades K-2 received intervention at Howard Elementary, and 8 students in Grades K-2 received intervention at Northwestern Elementary.

For more information regarding Indiana's dyslexia legislation, you may visit the Department of Education website at https://www.in.gov/doe/students/indiana-academic-standards/literacy/dyslexia/