Dyslexia
Arizona IDA and ADE Webinars:
Join us for an amazing and informative webinar series!
In partnership with ADE, Arizona IDA is offering a free three-part webinar series for Elementary School Administrators for guidance in understanding the new dyslexia legislation mandates and how to integrate these requirements within your schools. We are excited for you to join us on June 15, 17, and the 22nd!
This event is specific to Arizona Elementary School Administrators and free to attend.
- June 15th: Understanding Arizona’s MOWR and Dyslexia Legislation. Register here
- June 17th: Universal Literacy and Dyslexia Screeners: What are they, and why do we need them? Register here
- June 22nd: Reading Training in Arizona- New Legislative Expectations for every K-3 campus. Register here
Each webinar session will be live from 1-2 pm and worth one hour of professional development. Certificates will be made available upon the conclusion of the series.
Dyslexia Training Update:
The team at ADE is working through the ADE procurement office with a formal Request for Information (RFI) to identify vendors who will meet the requirements of ARS 15-211 to provide training for educators and specifically those who will be identified as the "Dyslexia Training Designee" on each K-3 campus. ADE will share a list of vendors that offer courses for Understanding and Recognizing Dyslexia, Reading Instruction and/or Reading Intervention, once the RFI process is complete. In the interim, please be patient and know there will be grace and time for implementation after a full list of training opportunities is shared.
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 data-based, systematic, and explicit instruction in a multitude of contexts, with many levels of support, each and every day.
AZ Dyslexia Handbook | *Universal Literacy and Dyslexia Screener Guide
“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.
The Dyslexia Handbook is designed for teachers and administrators to help them recognize characteristics constant 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.
Universal Literacy & Dyslexia Screener Guide
This comprehensive guide is intended to assist school and district leaders with the literacy MTSS process, including ADE’s guidance on the use of literacy screening to include the screening for characteristics consistent with dyslexia.
Dyslexia Family Resource Guide
The Dyslexia Resource Guide for Families provides an overview the definition of dyslexia, characteristics constant with dyslexia by age, and how families can 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 the definition of dyslexia ,characteristics constant with dyslexia by age, and how families can their child with dyslexia. This resource guide also provides a helpful question and answer section.
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 two 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
Approved Universal Literacy and Dyslexia Screener List
During 2020-2021, schools are reviewing and selecting a screener from the Approved Universal Literacy and Dyslexia Screener list, with full implementation by the 2021-2022 school year. 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 through 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 [email protected]. for additional information. After December 1, the ADE team will review all submissions to assure 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.
ADE Resources
- Arizona Early Learning Standards - 3rd Edition
- Arizona State Literacy Plan
- AZ Find (Child Find)
- Early Childhood Education
- English Language Arts Standards
- Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
- Read On Arizona
External Agency Resources
- Developing a Thriving Reader From the Early Years: A Continuum of Effective Literacy Practices
- International Dyslexia Association
- Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Blog
- Raising Special Kids
- Reading Rockets
- Understanding Dyslexia
Dyslexia Videos
Universal Literacy and Dyslexia Screeners
Dyslexia Training
Assessment Series
- MOWR Assessment Requirements Screening
- MOWR Assessment Requirements Progress Monitoring
- MOWR Assessment Requirements Diagnostic
Approved Screener Videos:
**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.
