Blog Archives

Getting Ready for a New Set of Tests and Accommodations Rules. Oy.

11/22/2014

Because students in the graduating classes of 2017, 2018, and 2019, have not had the full exposure to curriculum aligned to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts/Literacy, and mathematics, the composite score for the required assessments for high school graduation should be modified. A sliding scale based on a comparability study of the HSAs, and the new PARCC assessments, for the graduating classes of 2017, 2018, and 2019 is recommended.

Maryland PARCC Q&A
Montgomery County Schools Asking to Delay PARCC Tests
PARCC Accommodations Manual, Nov. 2014

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Dyslexia Parent Support -- An Integral DD Mission!

11/18/2014

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Last night, Decoding Dyslexia, Southern Md held a parent support meeting and welcomed new parents to Decoding Dyslexia. There is no better place to teach and learn and be empowered than a parent-led support network. On occasion a guest speaker will talk about legal issues and IEPS, other times parents and teachers will gather to learn from each other to support student learning. Each month, we are more empowered and know that we are not alone (which is both sad and joyful at the same time).

If you live in Maryland and would like to start a DD Parent Support Network in your area, DD-MD will help support and guide you to get off the ground. Following are some resources to get you started. If you have questions, please email [email protected].

How-to Organize a Dyslexia Parent Support Meeting (Downloadable Version Here)

Pick a date and time
Choose a venue
1. Library
2. Schools
3. Community Centers
4. Churches
5. Starbucks, Panera or coffee shop
6. Homes
7. Contact DD-MD asap with your event details, we will share and publicize on our social media platforms
Advertise
1. Local distribution lists
2. Produce a paper flyer (optional) Template
3. Word of mouth
4. School PTAs
5. Your personal social media pages
6. Create a regional/county Decoding Dyslexia Facebook Page and/or Group -- format is simple: Decoding Dyslexia, [Insert County or Region] Maryland
Create a topic focus
1. Start a discussion based on a specific IDA fact sheet
2. Discuss getting involved at a local/state/federal level
3. IEPs or 504 Accommodations, “what works”
4. Assistive technology (demonstration)
5. Invite a professional in the field of dyslexia to share their expertise (optional)
6. Watch Embracing Dyslexia or another related film
Planning & Implementation:

Bring refreshments or not (it’s been done successfully both ways)
Gather resources: DD-VA Resources and DD-MD Resources and What You Can Do Resources
Set up a Resource table -- distribute IDA Fact Sheets or printouts from the above resources
Borrow resources from your county library or friends to display
Use a sign in sheet (check this link to see what info. DD-MD needs you to include on a sign in sheet) to have attendees entered into our database for future communication
Have name tags and pens available (optional)
DD-MD mission statement and goals one pager available to introduce the grassroots movement
A "Who We are Fact Sheet"
Highlight the support meetings as a place to build community and lend support to each other
Introduce discussion topic
Facilitate questions and conversations
Steer discussion into solution driven areas if one or more of your attendees gets ‘unnecessarily’ negative for an extended time
Close with appreciation for parents taking the time to join DD-MD
Take pictures for DD-MD to post on social media platforms

6. After the Meeting

Follow up on questions posed during your group meeting
Send photos to DD-MD
Send sign up sheet to Laura Schultz to be entered into our DD-MD database

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Getting Ready for a New Set of Tests and Accommodations Rules. Oy.

What's Going on with DD-MD? Read all about it in the DD-MDeNews!

Dyslexia Parent Support -- An Integral DD Mission!

Decoding Dyslexia MD, Meeting Reminder 11/17 @ 7pm

Harvey Hubbell: Man on a Mission #dyslexia

Decoding Dyslexia MD Postcards!

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