Dyslexia
Dyslexia
Minnesota Department of Education Screening and Identifying Characteristics of Dyslexia.
The definition of dyslexia is included in Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.01. As stated in statute, "dyslexia" means a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate or fluent recognition of words 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. Students who have a dyslexia diagnosis must meet the state and federal eligibility criteria in order to qualify for special education services.
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) dyslexia team is currently focusing on supporting school efforts to screen and identify students with characteristics of dyslexia and develop teacher capacity to provide evidence-based reading instruction.
Universal literacy screening
Current best practice in District 196 includes universal screening of all students beginning in kindergarten. Universal literacy screening takes place in the fall, winter and spring of each year and is completed for the purpose of identifying students who may be at risk for reading difficulties and not mastering specific skills which correlate to broader reading achievement as described in the local literacy plan. The universal screening tool is specific to the grade level in which it is administered and delivered by trained teachers.