Dyslexia

The Arizona Department of Education is focused on the importance of teaching children to read. Progress in reading development begins with Arizona’s teachers implementing systematic and explicit instruction across all the elements of reading, including following the MTSS process of tiered instruction. The legislation in A.R.S §15-704 is designed to help identify students with characteristics of dyslexia so interventions can be in place.   

Dyslexia Training Designee Grant Update:

ADE is pleased to announce the Dyslexia Training Designee Grant is open for FY25. There is $1 million allocated to help offset the cost of training for LEAs. LEAs who successfully complete an application will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Carryover is not allowed.  For questions regarding the DTD grant, please reach out to Katie Lewis.

Guidance on the DTD Grant FY26

Important dates:

  • Grant opens - 7.1.24
  • Last day LEAs can apply - 5.1.25
  • Funds must be used by - 6.30.25                                                              


HB 2060 has added more educators who could qualify as the Dyslexia Training Designee. Due to this legislative change now any K-3 Literacy Coach, or K-3 Literacy Specialist can take the three required trainings and will meet the requirements. For more information, please reach out to Maggie Velazquez.


Dyslexia Training Designee: Guidance and Approved List
Universal Literacy & Dyslexia Screener: Guidance and Approved List

“Dyslexia” means a specific learning disorder that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.

Dyslexia Training Designee Approved Trainings and Guidance

As required by ARS 15-211, the Dyslexia Training Designee (DTD) can be any Kindergarten through Third Grade teacher on a given campus.

  • Any campus that serves K-3 students must identify at least one DTD for that campus.
  • HB 2060 has added more educators who could qualify as the Dyslexia Training Designee. Due to this legislative change now any K-3 Literacy Coach, or K-3 Literacy Specialist can take the three required trainings and will meet the requirements.
  • This list provides information on the required approved dyslexia trainings. Each vendor submitted materials that had to meet requirements of the legislation per the RFI process. Those learning opportunities that met the requirements were shared on the final list. 

**Please note, trainings must be provided by the vendor. Trainer-of-trainer models will not fulfill the requirements.

**Please also note, these trainings do not remove the Dyslexia Deficiency on teaching certificates. More information about the Dyslexia Deficiency can be found on the K-5 Literacy Endorsement webpage.

Dyslexia Training Designee PLC

Calling all school-level Dyslexia Training Designees. The ADE ELA team presents Quarterly PLC Meetings for the Dyslexia Training Designee. Please join our quarterly Dyslexia Training Designee PLC, hosted by Maggie Velazquez, Dyslexia and Literacy Intervention Specialist. This is your opportunity to meet with other DTDs in Arizona to collaborate, share, and discuss the roles and responsibilities of being your school's DTD. We will build this DTD Professional Learning Community to help support one another in this amazing role, "Dyslexia Training Designee". Please note you do not have to have your DTD trainings completed to attend.

Participants must register for each quarterly event in APLD to receive professional development credit. Each participant will receive 1 hour of PD credit. Microsoft Teams link will be accessible in APLD events, once registered. Register - use search term "dyslexia"

Universal Literacy and Dyslexia Screener Approved List and Guidance

During 2021-2022, schools are reviewing and selecting a screener from the Approved Universal Literacy and Dyslexia Screener list, with full implementation by July 1, 2022. This screening process meets both Move On When Reading and Dyslexia legislation, and will be the tool used to complete the MOWR Literacy Plan and assessment data submission for fall, winter, and spring. ADE allows for additional vendor submissions for this RFI throughout the year with the close date of December 1. Vendors who would like to apply for the Universal Literacy and Dyslexia Screener RFI need to email Maggie Velazquez for additional information.  After December 1, the ADE team will review all submissions to ensure the tool meets/continues to meet Arizona Statute. The Approved Universal Literacy and Dyslexia Screener list will be updated and reposted by February 1 of each year.

Guidance Videos

Approved Screener Videos:

 

There are four good cause exemptions to retention for 3rd grade students who fail to meet the MOWR cut score. These apply if a student

  • Is an English learner or a limited English proficient student and has had fewer than three years of English language instruction; OR
  • Is in the process of a special education referral or evaluation and/or student has been diagnosed as having a significant reading impairment, including dyslexia; OR
  • Has an identified disability and has an IEP and the IEP team (including parents) agrees that promotion is appropriate;
  • OR Has demonstrated or subsequently demonstrates sufficient reading skills or adequate progress towards sufficient reading skills of the 3rd-grade reading standards as evidenced through a collection of reading assessments approved by the State Board.

 

Arizona Revised Statute (A.R.S.) §15-701

 

AZ Dyslexia Handbook

The Dyslexia Handbook is designed for teachers and administrators to help them recognize characteristics consistent with dyslexia and how to aid students with dyslexia. Educators at all levels must have a deep understanding of reading to pinpoint gaps in student learning. This document also provides technical assistance to support families.

Dyslexia Family Resource Guide

The Dyslexia Resource Guide for Families provides an overview of the definition of dyslexia, characteristics consistent with dyslexia by age, and how families can support their child with dyslexia. This resource guide also provides a helpful question and answer section.

Dyslexia Family Resource Guide (Spanish)

The Dyslexia Resource Guide for Families in Spanish provides an overview of the definition of dyslexia, characteristics consistent with dyslexia by age, and how families can support their child with dyslexia. This resource guide also provides a helpful question and answer section.

ADE Resources

External Agency Resources

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Dyslexia Webinars and OnDemand Academies on ADE APLD - use search term "dyslexia"

Register!

Coming soon - Spring 2025

Overcoming Dyslexia

 

Register - search for "dyslexia book study" to narrow down your search.

 

 

**The views and opinions expressed in any third-party resource do not necessarily reflect those of the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) and do not imply an endorsement by ADE.