Decoding Dyslexia Maryland

We Are Decoding Dyslexia Maryland: 15 Chapters, Stronger Together

Decoding Dyslexia Maryland is a parent-led, grassroots movement driven by families concerned about reading instruction and interventions for all students, including those with dyslexia, in Maryland Public Schools.

Changing Reading Instruction District by District

Elizabeth Hembling, Decoding Dyslexia Maryland, thanks the Baltimore County Board of Education and BCPS administrators for providing professional learning in cognitive reading science and dyslexia interventions.

Baltimore County Public Schools is filling educator knowledge gap left open by colleges of education -- BCPS provides 60 hours of course work in the Orton Gillingham approach for hundreds of educators and the opportunity to attend Notre Dame of Maryland University Dyslexia Certificate Program. The district also is boosting teacher knowledge and practice in the essential components of reading instruction by providing coursework in Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS). Ms. Hembling asks that the Board of Education support the pending contract for additional LETRS training in the district. Jump to 35:27.

Maryland Must Screen & Intervene

Listen to educators, legislators, parents & students as they explain how reading screening and early interventions can help students who are at risk of reading difficulties and disabilities like dyslexia.

Listen to the DDMD origin story and learn about why parents and students across Maryland (and across the country) join together to raise their voices for students with dyslexia. We know what to do: so let's do it.

Where to Find Help for Dyslexia, Dysgraphia & Dyscalculia

Please connect with your local Decoding Dyslexia Maryland chapter to learn more about supports for families along with how you can put your boots on the ground to change reading instruction in Maryland. LOCAL CHAPTERS

Ready to Read Screen & Intervene Legislation Signing Ceremony

Thanks to these students and their parents, teachers and community partners, the Ready to Read bill passed the House and Senate unanimously. #soallcanread

ESOL teacher Diana Gough, Prince George's County Chapter Leader, presented to the Prince George's County Delegation Education Committee, Chaired by Delegate Alonzo Washington in January 2019.

Delegation's Education Subcommittee in February. Pictured above are Diana Gough and Delegation Chair, Delegate Alonzo Washington, D-Prince Georges.

Delegate Eric Luedtke and Senator Craig Zucker, sponsors of the Ready to Read bills, talk about the unanimous House vote for SB 734 on March 27th! #soallcanread

Excited to introduce the House version of the Ready to Read Act with 85 House co-sponsors! All kids deserve to have the support they need to be successful in school. Glad to be working with @SenatorZucker, @dyslexiasomd, and a host of other advocates to get it passed. pic.twitter.com/0Zq6ZakytA
— Delegate Eric Luedtke (@EricLuedtke) February 5, 2019

Ameer Baraka supports the Ready to Read Act and asks Governor Hogan and Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford for their support to screen kids for reading difficulties early! Follow Ameer on Twitter @ameerbaraka

Delegate Luedtke Drops House Bill 690: Ready to Read! 85 cosponsors!!

Decoding Dyslexia Maryland Frederick County's Dynamic Duo delivers testimony to the Kirwan Commission during its last public forum in November 2018. With laughs and honesty delivered with the true spirit of fierce advocates, the girls supported the Ready to Read Act and related how reading screening would have helped them get the help they needed.