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North Hopkins ISD

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Dyslexia

  • North Hopkins Independent School District's Dyslexia Program  properly identifies students with dyslexia, provides academic support to meet their individual needs and assists the students in developing skills to compensate for any difficulties they may have in order to become successful individuals.

    Dyslexia Defined
    As defined in TEC §38.003 (The Dyslexia Law):
    “Dyslexia” means a disorder of constitutional origin manifested by a difficulty in learning to read, write, or spell, despite conventional instruction, adequate intelligence, and socio-cultural opportunity.

    "Related disorders" includes disorders similar to or related to dyslexia such as developmental auditory imperceptions, dysphasia, specific developmental dyslexia, developmental dysgraphia, and developmental spelling disability.

    The International Dyslexia Association’s definition of dyslexia states:
    Dyslexia is a specific learning disability 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 growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.

    If you suspect that your child may need to be evaluated for dyslexia, please contact your campus administrator regarding your concerns. They will be able to assist you with this process.

  • Texas state law (TEC §38.003) requires that public school students be screened and tested as appropriate for dyslexia and related disorders at appropriate times in accordance with a program approved by the SBOE (State Board of Education). The program approved by the SBOE must include screening for each student at the end of the kindergarten year and then again during first grade.

    Texas Education Code §38.003 does not explicitly state when first grade students must be screened. The SBOE, through approval of the rule which requires adherence to the Dyslexia handbook (TAC §74.28) has determined that students in first grade must be screened no later than the middle of the school year. Screening of first-grade students can begin anytime in the fall as the teacher deems appropriate. Grade 1 screening must conclude no later than January 31 of each year.

    The Dyslexia Handbook describes the screening criteria for this requirement. The updates to the Dyslexia Handbook include a reduction in the number of skills that must be included on the instrument used by LEAs to screen for dyslexia. The updated criteria for English and Spanish screening instruments are as follows: 

    Kindergarten (screened in May) First Grade (screened by January 31)
    Letter Sound Knowledge or Letter Naming Fluency Word Reading Accuracy or Fluency
    Phonological Awareness Phonological Awareness
  • Visit Texas Education Agency to find upto date information regarding changes in dyslexia and House Bill 3928.

    House Bill 3928 Infographic

    Overview of Special Education for Parents (English) /(Spanish)

    Dyslexia Fact Sheet (English) / (Spanish)

    IDEA Fact Sheet (English) / (Spanish)

    Section 504 Fact Sheet (English) / (Spanish)

    2021 Texas Dyslexia Handbook (English) / (Spanish)

    Dyslexia Handbook, Appendix A FAQ, Updated March 2022

    2021 Texas Dyslexia Handbook Important Changes (English) / (Spanish)

    North Hopkins ISD Dyslexia Plan

    North Hopkins ISD 504 Handbook 

    NHISD Section 504 Procedural Safeguards (English) / (Spanish)

    Dyslexia Information for Parents (SR Dyslexia Defined) / (Add. Info. with Examples)

    Parent’s Guide to the ARD Process

    Special Education Resources  

  • Talking Book Program Website

    Learning Ally Website (Audio Books for Dyslexia and Learning Disabilities)

    Bookshare

    Child Mind Institute Website (English) / (Spanish)

    Child Find, Evaluation and ARD Supports Network Website

    TEA Special Education Notice of Procedural Safeguards (English) / (Spanish)

    TEA Parent’s Guide to the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Process (English) / (Spanish)

    SPEDTex (Special Education Information Center-TEA) Website

    Region 10 ESC Dyslexia Resources Website

    Brisbane Kids Website (online resources for kids with Dyslexia)

    IPad Apps for Learners with Dyslexia

  • For Parents
    Reading David: A Mother and Son’s Journey Through the Labyrinth of Dyslexia by Lissa Weinstein, PhD.

    Overcoming Dyslexia: A New and Complete Science-Based Program for Reading Problems at Any Level by Sally Shaywits, M.D.

    The Many Faces of Dyslexia by Margaret Byrd Rawson

     

    For Children/Students
    Different Is Not Bad. Different Is the World by Sally L. Smith

    The Worst Speller in Junior High by Caroline Janover

    Josh: A Boy with Dyslexia by Caroline Janover

    How Dyslexic Benny Became a Star: A story of Hope for Dyslexic Children and Their Parents by Joe Griffith

    My Name is Brain/Brian by Jeanne Betancourt

  • ELEMENTARY CAMPUS

    Tonya Griner, Dyslexia Teacher 

    tgriner@nhisd.net

    903-945-2192

     

    Missy Wyatt, Dyslexia Teacher

    mwyatt@nhisd.net

    903-945-2192

     

    Brenda Perez, Special Education/504 Coordinator

    bperez@nhisd.net

    903-945-2192

     

    Carmen Dufrene, Counselor/504 Coordinator

    cdufrene@nhisd.net

    903-945-2192

     

    SECONDARY CAMPUS

     

    Debra Wood, Dyslexia Teacher/504 Coordinator 

    dwood@nhisd.net

    903-945-2192

     

    Danna Lewis, Counselor

    dlewis@nhisd.net

    903-945-2192

     

    DISTRICT

    Dr. Marian Ellis, Director of Curriculum, Accountability, State & Federal Programs

    mellis@nhisd.net

    903-945-2192

     

    REGION 8 SERVICE CENTER

    Johnnie Freeman

    jfreeman@reg8.net

    903-572-8551

     

    STATE CONTACT INFORMATION

    SPEDTex Helpline: 1-855-773-3839

    State Dyslexia Helpline: 1-800-232-3030