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Dyslexia Universal Screener 2021-2022
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WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO SCREEN FOR DYSLEXIA?
In 2017, the 85th Texas Legislature passed House Bill (HB) 1886, amending Texas Education Code (TEC) §38.003, Screening and Treatment for Dyslexia, to require that all kindergarten and first-grade public school students be screened for dyslexia and related disorders.
Early identification of students with dyslexia along with corresponding early intervention programs for these students will have significant implications for their future academic success.
- Early identification is critical because the earlier the intervention, the easier it is to remediate.
- Inexpensive screening measures identify at-risk children in mid-kindergarten with 85 percent accuracy.
- If intervention is not provided before the age of eight, the probability of reading difficulties continuing into high school is 75 percent (pp. 279–280).
-Straight Talk about Reading, Hall and Moats (1999)
WHO WILL PARTICIPATE AND HOW?
All Kindergarten and First grade students will participate. The testing window for first grade opens January 10 and closes January 28th, 2022.
WHAT WILL BE REQUIRED AND WHEN?
Date/Window
Activity
January 10 - January 28
First Grade Screening Implementation Window
All first-grade students will complete the Renaissance Star Early Literacy Screener. Testing must be completed by January 28th, 2022.
January 18 OR January 19 Required Training for Campus IAT/Dyslexia Administrators/Dyslexia Interventionists
Dyslexia Screening Protocols Training: Participants will engage in a decision-making simulation and implement the Houston ISD protocols for dyslexia screening and placement. OneSource Course ID# 1443754
January 10 - March 11 Dyslexia Screening Meetings Completed by March 11, 2022
Campuses will review Dyslexia Risk Roster and implement the dyslexia screening protocols to review student data and make decisions about the need for student intervention and/or evaluation referral.
All meetings will be completed by March 11th.
April - June 2022 Kindergarten Screening Implementation Window
April 28 - June 1 - Texas KEA
May - June 10th Dyslexia Screening Meetings Completed by June 10, 2022
Campuses will review Dyslexia Risk Roster and implement the dyslexia screening protocols to review student data and make decisions about the need for student intervention and/or evaluation referral.
All meetings will be completed by June 10th, 2022.
HOW DO I ACCESS THE ASSESSMENTS?
Star Early Literacy Screener
Visit the Renaissance Formative Assessment Webpage for administration on the Star Early Literacy Screener
Access the Star Early Literacy Screener: www.houstonisd.org/screener
The Star Early Literacy Screener will be administered according to the student assessment calendar:
- All First-Grade students will be screened by January 28th, 2022
- Dyslexia Team Leaders will monitor campus participation rates and provide weekly updates.
Please visit the Renaissance Formative Assessment website for more information about the administration for the Star Early Literacy Screener
WHO DO I CONTACT FOR QUESTIONS AND SUPPORT?
Contact Information
For Technical Issues:
For technical issues with administration of the Renaissance Star Early Literacy Screener, please contact the service desk at 713-892-SERV (7378) or send an email to servicedesk@houstonisd.org
For Questions About Dyslexia Screening and Referral, Contact your Dyslexia Team Leader:
Elementary Schools Office 1 - Jennifer Martin, Jennifer.Martin@houstonisd.org
Elementary Schools Office 2 - Chelsea St. Julien - CSTJULIE@houstonisd.org
Elementary Schools Office 3 - Norma Jean Lasley, Norma.Lasley@houstonisd.org
Middle Schools Office - Geneva Harris-Hatton, Geneva.HarrisHatton@houstonisd.org
High Schools Office - Donnette Williams, Donnette.Williams@houstonisd.org
Achieve 180 Schools Office - Mallary Lattanze, MLATTANZ@houstonisd.org
Dyslexia Screening and Referral
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Resource
Description REFERENCE: This document outlines the steps in the process for the Dyslexia screening requirements in First Grade and Kindergarten.
REFERENCE: The Texas Dyslexia Handbook, 2021, can be used as a reference guide for state screening requirements and TEC §38.003 - See Chapter 2.
REFERENCE: The Dyslexia Screening Flowchart can be used as a reference for decision making in the screening meeting. TRAINING: Review the training slides from the Dyslexia Screening Protocol Training in January BEFORE THE MEETING: For each student identified on the campus At-Rist Report, send this letter with the Ren360 student report BEFORE THE MEETING: For each student identified on the roster as "At-Rist for Dyslexia", send this Parent Input Form with the Ren360 student report. (If a parent does not return this form, it is not a reason to delay the screening meeting) Teacher Input Form BEFORE THE MEETING: For each student on the Dyslexia Risk Roster, send this form to the classroom teachers and collect prior to the screening meeting BEFORE THE MEETING:This Data Gathering Checklist will be included in each dyslexia screening folder. It is a Google Doc that can be printed or copied to your google drive.
IAT Universal Dyslexia Screening Determination Form
DURING THE MEETING: Complete this electronic form at each meeting. Ensure accuracy of the Student ID number and the email address of the IAT Liaison before submitting each form. Print and sign each form and keep the signed original in the student folder.
Use the guiding questions to lead the team's discussion.
AFTER THE MEETING: Send a notice home to parents letting them know your next steps. Refer to IAT procedures and documentation to move forward with an intervention plan or referral.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who is required to be screened for dyslexia?
TEC §38.003 requires all kindergarten and grade 1 students to be screened for dyslexia. Districts and charter schools must implement a screening program that includes each of the following:
• Screening of each student in kindergarten at the end of the school year. HISD Screening window for kindergarten is April 1-30, 2021
• Screening of each student in the first grade no later than January 31st. HISD screening window for fisrt grade is Nov 10 - Dec 18, 2020.
SOURCE: Frequently Asked Questions: Dyslexia and Related Disorders - January 2021
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Should students in kindergarten and first grade who receive special education or Section 504 services be screened for dyslexia using the K/1 dyslexia screener under TEC §38.003?
Students receiving special education or Section 504 services should be screened using the K/1 dyslexia screener unless:
• The ARD or Section 504 committee determines the screener is not appropriate (e.g. students with significant cognitive disabilities); or
• the student is already identified with dyslexia.
SOURCE: Frequently Asked Questions: Dyslexia and Related Disorders - January 2021
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Who should be invited to attend an IAT meeting?
The IAT usually consists of the following personnel:
• IAT chairperson
• Campus administrator or designee; (may also be the chairperson)
• RtI campus coordinator (may also be the IAT chairperson)
• Evaluation Specialist, Licensed Specialist in School Psychology, if behavioral issues are a concern; Dyslexia Interventionist, if a dyslexia referral id being considered
• Referral source
• Classroom teacher; and
• Parent, nurse, counselor, social worker, and/or campus instructional coordinator
