Reading & Dyslexia Policy Solutions: How to Create & Sustain Reading Achievement Through Teacher Training

The State of Reading & Dyslexia in Maryland

Dyslexia Advocacy Day 2017

FREE EVENT, REGISTER HERE

Thursday, February 2, 2017 ~ Room 180 ~ Lowe House Office Building, Annapolis, Maryland

2016 was a year of solution finding for families and educators concerned about access to effective instruction for dyslexia and reading.  The “Task Force to Implement a Dyslexia Education Program in Maryland” completed its recommendations and provided a report to the Maryland General Assembly and the Governor.  The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) developed a Technical Assistance Bulletin on Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) with a focus on dyslexia to help facilitate and implement effective instruction for students with dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia.

But we must do more.  Join us to learn about dyslexia and reading solutions that will narrow the reading and writing achievement gap in Maryland.  Many students with average to above average intelligence have trouble learning to read, write and/or spell in Maryland public schools.  The 2016 Maryland state assessment (PARCC) for 4th grade students shows that 91% of special education, 77% of African American, 98% of limited English proficiency and 79% of students in poverty are not on grade level for reading and writing.  Maryland can change this outcome with your help.

INVITES, PROGRAM, MEDIA ADVISORY

Downloadable Advocacy Day Flyer, 3-color, Legislator Invite
Download File

Downloadable Dyslexia Advocacy Day Panel, Multi-color Legislator Invite
Download File

Downloadable Advocacy Day Flyer, Public Flyer Invite
Download File

Downloadable Advocacy Day Program, 2017
Download File

Media Alerts, Advisories & Press Releases
Download File

​PROGRAM

8:00 - 9:00am -- Community Partner Open House 

8:00am -- Delegate Al Carr, Montgomery County, Welcome Message

9:00 - 9:20am -- Lisa Blottenberger: Decoding Dyslexia Maryland: The Science of Reading: How to Help Struggling Readers Thrive!

9:20 - 9:35am -- Dr. Joan Mele-McCarthy: Chair, Task Force to Implement a Dyslexia Education Program in MD: Best Practices to Serve Students with Dyslexia in Maryland: Task Force Update

9:35 - 9:45am -- Delegate Anne Kaiser: Chair, House Education Subcommittee, D-Montgomery
What Legislators Need to Know About Dyslexia & Reading

9:45 - 10:00am -- Marcella Franczkowski: Assistant State Superintendent, Special Education & Early Intervention Services, MSDE:  Newly Released Technical Assistance Bulletin Drives Identification and Instruction for Students with Disabilities & Dyslexia

​10:00 - 10:10am --  Susie Fowler: Director of Special Education, St. Mary's County: Practical Advice on How to Implement the Dyslexia Technical Assistance Bulletin

10:10 - 10:20am -- Rick Smith, CEO, International Dyslexia Association: How Revisions to University Accreditation on Reading will Improve Student Learning

10:20 - 10:30am -- Laura Schultz: Decoding Dyslexia Maryland: ACT-vocate for Dyslexia

10:30 - 11:45am -- BREAK -- Pre-scheduled individual/group legislator meetings

​12:00 - 1:00pm -- Panel Discussion (see below)

Lunch & Panel Discussion
Reading & Dyslexia Policy Solutions
​
PANELISTS -- Moderator: Karleen Spitulnik, Decoding Dyslexia MD, State Leader

• Dayne Guest, Recent Graduate, Baltimore County Public Schools: What I Needed from my School
  
  
• Ella Jane Miller,  7th grade student, Earle B. Woods Middle School in Rockville: What I Need for School Success
  
  
• Amy Siracusano, MS, Ed., Maryland Teacher, Literacy Coach, Higher Education Adjunct:  What Teachers Need to Know about Reading and Dyslexia
  
  
• Monica McHale-Small, Superintendent, Saucon Valley School District, PA & Dr. Fran Warkomski, Dyslexia Pilot Coordinator, PA Dept. of Ed: Creating and Sustaining Reading Achievement Through Teacher Training
  
  
• Delegate Anne Kaiser, Chair, House Education Subcommittee: Next Steps for Reading and Dyslexia Policy

1:00 - 4:00pm -- Pre-scheduled legislator meetings
​

Please visit our community partners on February 2nd or visit their websites and give them a call.  These folks support Decoding Dyslexia Maryland's advocacy for families of students with dyslexia as well as educators who teach students with dyslexia.

Anne Arundel Conflict Resolution Center (AACRC)  
Atlantic Seaboard Dyslexia Education Center (ASDEC)
Baltimore Lab School
bowman educational services, Inc.
Chelsea School
Creative Learning Experiences
D.C. Capital Area Branch, International Dyslexia Association (DCIDA)
Dyslexia Tutoring Program
International Dyslexia Association, Maryland Branch (IDAMD)
Jemicy School
Law Office of Brian K. Gruber, P.C.
Learning Disabilities Association of Maryland, Inc. (LDA-MD)
Lindamood-Bell Learning Centers
Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Facilities (MANSEF)
Multisensory Math
Radcliffe Creek School
Readventures
Right To Read Maryland
State of Maryland International Reading Association Council (SoMIRAC)
St. Timothy’s School
The Attention Fix Educational Consulting, LLC
The Highlands School
The Legacy School
The Odyssey School
The Siena School
The Summit School
Wye River Upper School