Our Goals
Decoding Dyslexia – NJ is a grassroots movement driven by NJ families concerned with the limited access to educational interventions for dyslexia within our public schools. We aim to raise dyslexia awareness, empower families to support their children and inform policy-makers on best practices to identify, remediate and support students with dyslexia in NJ public schools.
We advocate for:
- Expanded and improved access to early screening tests for dyslexia
- Mandatory dyslexia remediation programs, which can be accessed by both general and special education populations
- Access to appropriate “assistive technologies” in the public school setting for students with dyslexia
Goals we have achieved to date:
- A universal definition and understanding of “dyslexia” in the state education code (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-1.3)
- Mandatory teacher training on dyslexia, its warning signs and appropriate intervention strategies (N.J.S. 18A:6-131)
- Mandatory early screening tests for dyslexia (N.J.S. 18A:40-5.1, et seq.)
- Spreading awareness and offering families a variety of opportunities to connect, share experiences, and gain insights and resources:
- A Facebook Page reaching over 8,000 followers
- Parent/educator workshops and events
- Community roundtable discussions
- Parent networking sessions after our monthly business meetings
DD-NJ Advocacy in Action!
DD-NJ with Timothy Lynagh, Deputy Chief of Staff & Legislative Director for Rep Christopher Smith (NJ)
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DD-NJ with former US Representative Rush Holt (NJ)
DD-NJ with Brendan Hennessey, Legislative Assistant for Representative Frank Pallone (NJ)
Special education as defined in IDEA: ![]()
(1) Special education means specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability![]()
(3) Specially designed instruction means adapting, as appropriate to the needs of an eligible child under this part, the content, methodology, or delivery of instruction—![]()
(i) To address the unique needs of the child that result from the child’s disability; (and more at link) ![]()
Sec. 300.39 Special education - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
sites.ed.gov
300.39 Special education. (a) General. (1) Special education means specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability, including— (i) In...
So the PD was uninformed? 🤔😠🙄🤷 What's in your district? $$$$![]()
"Moving forward, the university said, Teachers College “will ensure that its professional development programs are informed by the latest research and evidence.”"![]()
Columbia University @Teachers College, Columbia University @The Teachers College Reading and Writing Project ![]()
gothamist.com
The widely criticized curriculum had been in use in New York City schools. Schools Chancellor David Banks said this week the curriculum “failed” students.
Happening tomorrow with Dr. Steven Graham at 3:00 pm ET! Register here njcld2023fallsymposium.splashthat.com/?utm_campaign=Research%20and%20Innovation&utm_content=26392...
NJCLD 2023 Fall Symposium - Splash
njcld2023fallsymposium.splashthat.com
NJCLD 2023 Fall Symposium Hosted on Zoom
Columbia Dissolves Lucy Calkins Reading and Writing Project, "a beloved — and criticized — center at Teachers College for four decades." The Teachers College Reading and Writing Project Columbia University @Columbia Daily Spectator ![]()
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Amid Reading Wars, Teachers College Will Close a Star Professor’s Shop (Gift Article)
www.nytimes.com
Lucy Calkins ran a beloved — and criticized — center at Teachers College for four decades. It is being dissolved.
ATTN NJ Families and Educators! Join us & Reading League New Jersey next Tuesday, August 15th at 12 pm to learn about the National Center on Improving Literacy! ![]()
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The National Center on Improving Literacy (NCIL) is a federally funded literacy center that supports translating research, developing resources, and disseminating evidence-based practices to improve literacy outcomes for all learners, including students with or at risk for reading disabilities like dyslexia.![]()
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In this brief webinar, you'll learn about NCIL's mission, priorities, and work, including all the amazing resources and services that can be turn-keyed and implemented in your own school. You'll also have the opportunity to ask questions and connect with other literacy professionals. You don't want to miss this session. It will spark ideas and offer tangible resources to share widely this school year - Get a jump start on planning for your PTA, SEPAG, Parent-Teacher, and Staff PD Meetings!![]()
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Registration Link: bostonu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2HIsGgnTTv6cXETlgMcSxA
New preprint paper from The Florida Center for Reading Research by Drs. Hugh Catts and Tiffany P. Hogan: "Dyslexia: An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of diagnosis and treatment." Read it here: ![]()
fcrr.org/sites/g/files/upcbnu2836/files/media/PDFs/Catts_Hogan_preprint.pdf
A must read If you are advocating for a student with dyslexia and good news for a family in WA state! A school district ignored family requests for an evidence-based, structured literacy program violating #idea and denying #FAPE to the student. The judge orders the district to provide it via a new IEP with progress monitoring, two years of comp ed, and reimbursement for private evaluations. The judge also notes the district lacks understanding of its obligations on dyslexia, failed to remedy staff misunderstanding of iReady results, and lack of communication between administration and teachers, all of which caused harm to the student. ![]()
cedarlawpllc.com/2023/08/01/cedar-delivers-big-win-against-peninsula-school-district-on-dyslexia/...
cedarlawpllc.com
The tides may finally be turning for students with dyslexia in the state of Washington. Parents across the state have been clamoring for evidence-based dyslexia interventions, [...]Check us out on Instagram!