Dyslexia Information

Dyslexia means a specific learning disability that:

• Is neurological in origin and characterized by:
  • difficulties with accurate or fluent word recognition;
  • poor spelling and decoding abilities;
• Typically results 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;
• May include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge; and
• May require the provision of special education services after an eligibility determination is made in accordance with 511 IAC 7-40.

Indiana school corporations and charter school’s reading plans must now include screening for dyslexia risk factors and indicators. If a student is considered at-risk for dyslexia, the school will administer an additional dyslexia screener, which will identify whether or not the student needs to be referred for further testing. It also requires schools to use specific responses to intervention processes if screeners indicate certain characteristics of dyslexia are present.

Dyslexia Legislation

• HEA 1108
• Senate Enrolled Act 217
  • Overview of Senate Enrolled Act 217 for Parents and Families
  • Overview of Senate Enrolled Act 217 for Parents and Families - Español
• Initial Dyslexia Guidance

Breakdown of the Definition of Dyslexia

The definition for dyslexia in Indiana law is as follows: “ ’Dyslexia’ means a specific learning disability that: is neurological in origin and characterized by difficulties with accurate fluent word recognition; and poor spelling and decoding abilities; typically results 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; may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge; and may require the provision of special education services after an eligibility determination is made in accordance with 511 IAC 7-40.”

State Reporting Requirements

Each school corporation or charter school must also report dyslexia related information on their public website no later than July 15 each year. The information must include (but does not have to be limited to):

• The dyslexia intervention program(s) used during the previous school year to support students with dyslexia.  The WCSC is in the process of making sure each school has at least one staff member certified in Orton Gillingham instructional methods.   WCSC currently uses the SPIRE and MA Rooney Foundation as a primary source for interventions as well as interventions based in the Orton Gillingham method of teaching.   
• The number of students who received dyslexia intervention during the previous school year. This indicator represents the number of students who were identified as “at risk” or “at some risk” for dyslexia during the previous school year and who received the appropriate interventions. It does not represent the number of students who were officially diagnosed with dyslexia. WCSC provided dyslexia interventions to 158 students who were identified as“at risk” or “at some risk” for dyslexia through the universal and Level I screeners.
• The number of students identified with dyslexia during the previous school year. This indicator represents the number of students who were officially diagnosed with dyslexia and may differ from the number of students who received dyslexia intervention under the guidelines within this document.   WCSC had 21 students who were officially diagnosed with dyslexia during the 23-24 school year.