Welcome to our Take Action page!
This page provides current events where you have the visibility to legislative/policy changing activities so you can leverage your voice as a constituent and promote changes that may have a positive outcomes for Kentucky's individuals who have dyslexia. Please take a few moments and see what is happening that impacts our children in public school. We appreciate your time and effort to join us as we spread dyslexia awareness and the needed changes to help our children achieve success! Thank you!
Please follow us on Facebook for the most up-to-date information.
CALL TO ACTION ALERT!
1) Watch the KDE Webinar announcing the Dyslexia Toolkit here. January 2019
2) Encourage your School Board/District to adopt HB 187 and utilize the Toolkit
1) Watch the KDE Webinar announcing the Dyslexia Toolkit here. January 2019
2) Encourage your School Board/District to adopt HB 187 and utilize the Toolkit
HB187 has been signed by our Governor, April 2, 2018
"
Summary
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to define "dyslexia" and "qualified dyslexia screening tool"; require the Department of Education to make available a dyslexia toolkit that includes guidance on the instruction of students displaying characteristics of dyslexia; require the Department of Education to collaborate with the Kentucky Collaborative Center for Literacy Development to update professional development for teachers related to dyslexia; require each local board of education to develop policies for identifying and assisting students in kindergarten through grade three with dyslexia and other learning disabilities; require school districts to report data to the Department of Education regarding dyslexia screening and results; require teacher preparation programs to include instruction on dyslexia; require the commissioner of education to select three school districts to serve as dynamic laboratories of learning. Amend KRS 158.305 to revise the definition of "dyslexia"; require local boards of education to develop policies related to the implementation of response-to-intervention; require the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Kentucky Center for Education and Workforce Statistics, to report to the Interim Joint Committees on Education and Health and Welfare by November 30 of each year regarding school districts' implementation of response-to-intervention.
"
STATUS: PASSED (w/ edits)
PLEASE CALL ask Senate Education Committee Members to support HB 187. Every call counts!
Here's what you need to do:
Call 1-800-372-7181 to leave a message for your Representative and the House Education Committee.
Simply ask that both your State Representative and the Education Committee support HB187. Thank you!
STATUS: PASSED 100% YEAs
PLEASE CALL your Representative and ask them to support HB 187. Every call counts!
Here's what you need to do:
Call 1-800-372-7181 to leave a message for your Representative and the House Education Committee.
Simply ask that both your State Representative and the Education Committee support HB187. Thank you!
IMPORTANT LEGISLATION UPDATE:
On January 11, 2018 the following bill was introduced to the House:
HB 187 (BR 243) - A. Wuchner, M. Prunty, J. Blanton, M. Hart, J. Sims Jr
AN ACT relating to dyslexia and response-to-interventions that improve student learning.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to define "dyslexia" and "qualified dyslexia screening tool"; require the Department of Education to make available a dyslexia toolkit that includes guidance on the instruction of students displaying characteristics of dyslexia; require the Department of Education to collaborate with the Kentucky Collaborative Center for Literacy Developmet to update professional development for teachers related to dyslexia; require each local board of education to develop policies for identifying and assisting students in kindergarten through grade three with dyslexia and other learning disabilities; require school districts to report data to the Department of Education regarding dyslexia screening and results; require teacher preparation programs to include instruction on dyslexia; require the commissioner of education to select three school districts to serve as dynamic laboratories of learning. Amend KRS 158.305 to revise the definition of "dyslexia"; require local boards of education to develop policies related to the implementation of response-to-intervention; require the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Kentucky Center for Education and Workforce Statistics, to report to the Interim Joint Committees on Education and Health and Welfare by November 30 of each year regarding school districts' implementation of response-to-intervention.
Many thanks to our Representatives who have worked diligently for the students and families of our Commonwealth who are struggling in our schools due to dyslexia.
Representative Addia Wuchner (R) , House District 66 - Boone
Representative Melinda Gibbons Prunty (R) , House District 15
Representative John Blanton (R), House District 15
Representative John Sims Jr (D) , House District 70
Representative Mark Hart (R) , House District 78
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/18RS/HB187.htm
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/18RS/HB187/bill.pdf
Past Action Events
UPDATE : HB307 - not passed
Please support HB307 - active call to action (2/11/2017)
IMPORTANT LEGISLATION UPDATE: The Kentucky branch of the IDA, working with Boone County Representative Addia Wuchner, have filed a new bill to amend KRS158 (formally known as HB69 2012)
Please read the attached bill to see all the amendments to our current dyslexia/RTI law and make sure you call your state representative to ask them to support HB307.
Thank you, Phyllis Sparks, IDAKY President.
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/17RS/HB307.htm
Anything that is in bold is new language and are the amendments we are seeking. If the bill passes into law as written in this bill the bold language will become part of the existing law KRS158. You will also see language that has a strike through it. This language will be removed.
CALL TO ACTION: Please call 1-800-372-7181 to leave a message for your representative. Simply ask that your State Representative to support HB 307. Every call counts.
Please read the attached bill to see all the amendments to our current dyslexia/RTI law and make sure you call your state representative to ask them to support HB307.
Thank you, Phyllis Sparks, IDAKY President.
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/17RS/HB307.htm
Anything that is in bold is new language and are the amendments we are seeking. If the bill passes into law as written in this bill the bold language will become part of the existing law KRS158. You will also see language that has a strike through it. This language will be removed.
CALL TO ACTION: Please call 1-800-372-7181 to leave a message for your representative. Simply ask that your State Representative to support HB 307. Every call counts.
Support Decoding Dyslexia Kentucky when you shop at Amazon!
UPDATE! SUCCESS! (July 2016)
Commissioner Pruitt establishes the new Dyslexia Task Force
BE A VOICE FOR THE 1 IN 5 CHILDREN & STUDENTS WHO HAVE DYSLEXIA-
JOIN THE CALL TO ACTION!
JOIN THE CALL TO ACTION!
Kentucky Department of Education's Commissioner, Dr. S Pruitt, wants to hear from you!
Did you miss an Education Town Hall?
You still have opportunity to have KDE & our KY Commissioner, Dr. Pruitt hear from you.
We encourage each one of us to help KDE with their initiative to understand how we define student and school success!
It's easy!
Send an email to: KyEdListens@education.ky.gov that includes your input or your experience to one (or more) of the 5 questions they are asking of Kentucky citizens during the town hall event.
How does Kentucky define student and school success?
1. What do you expect from our schools?
2. What school characteristics are most important?
3. How should we measure student and school
success?
4. How do we ensure all students and schools are
successful?
5. How should we celebrate school success?
Again, here is the email: KyEdListens@education.ky.gov
PLEASE this is easy friends! It's also such an important step for us to make to represent our students! We are confident that our Commissioner is listening to all feedback. Kentucky families need to make take this step and be heard, be counted. We do this for our kids and our grandkids, our nieces, our newphews, our friends who need someone to speak up for them!
Here is the link to the presentation from the Education Town Halls -http://education.ky.gov/…/Town%20Hall%203-24-16%20%20PPT.pdf
Thank you!
Did you miss an Education Town Hall?
You still have opportunity to have KDE & our KY Commissioner, Dr. Pruitt hear from you.
We encourage each one of us to help KDE with their initiative to understand how we define student and school success!
It's easy!
Send an email to: KyEdListens@education.ky.gov that includes your input or your experience to one (or more) of the 5 questions they are asking of Kentucky citizens during the town hall event.
How does Kentucky define student and school success?
1. What do you expect from our schools?
2. What school characteristics are most important?
3. How should we measure student and school
success?
4. How do we ensure all students and schools are
successful?
5. How should we celebrate school success?
Again, here is the email: KyEdListens@education.ky.gov
PLEASE this is easy friends! It's also such an important step for us to make to represent our students! We are confident that our Commissioner is listening to all feedback. Kentucky families need to make take this step and be heard, be counted. We do this for our kids and our grandkids, our nieces, our newphews, our friends who need someone to speak up for them!
Here is the link to the presentation from the Education Town Halls -http://education.ky.gov/…/Town%20Hall%203-24-16%20%20PPT.pdf
Thank you!
UPDATE! Success! (Feb 2016) President signs the READAct!
We need all families to contact the President of the United States!
Encourage him to keep up the momentum - Support the 8+ millions of students struggling with dyslexia and approve the READAct, HR3033!
Suggested ways to contact:
Encourage him to keep up the momentum - Support the 8+ millions of students struggling with dyslexia and approve the READAct, HR3033!
Suggested ways to contact:
- TWITTER @POTUS and ask him for a ceremonial signing of #HR3033 #READAct because our kids #NEED2READ
- CONTACT form
- Call
UPDATE: Unanimously PASSED the Senate!
On to the President's desk!
We need all families to contact Senator Mitch McConnell and encourage him to support the 20% of his constituents struggling with dyslexia and vote Yes to The READ Act when it comes up for vote.
The READ Act does NOT increase the budget.
Click here to go to Senator McConnell's contact form page.
The message form is located here as well you will find phone numbers for your local office.
Action item status: Passed unanimously
ACTION ALERT! We Need Your Voice!
Please participate in these 3 Calls to Action events for Parents!
Click here to go to IDA and take action!
1)The International Dyslexia Association
2)Understood
3)Dyslexic Advantage
WE NEED ALL FAMILIES TO PARTICIPATE!
On to the President's desk!
We need all families to contact Senator Mitch McConnell and encourage him to support the 20% of his constituents struggling with dyslexia and vote Yes to The READ Act when it comes up for vote.
The READ Act does NOT increase the budget.
Click here to go to Senator McConnell's contact form page.
The message form is located here as well you will find phone numbers for your local office.
Action item status: Passed unanimously
ACTION ALERT! We Need Your Voice!
Please participate in these 3 Calls to Action events for Parents!
Click here to go to IDA and take action!
1)The International Dyslexia Association
2)Understood
3)Dyslexic Advantage
WE NEED ALL FAMILIES TO PARTICIPATE!
Please ask your state leaders to support the READ Act HR 3033!
Update: PASSED the House of Representatives!
The READ Act now moves to the Senate.
See information above on next Action Steps we need everyone to make to ensure our Senator knows how many constituents are impacted by dyslexia.
What you need to do:
1. Find your State Representative for your district on the attached form above.
2. Click their name to go to their website - fill out the contact form. (scroll down to see examples)
3. Use Twitter, Facebook, Instagram to tweet Representatives. This is a great way to publicly request their support.
4. Follow the same steps to send communication to our Senators (both Federal and State).
1. Find your State Representative for your district on the attached form above.
2. Click their name to go to their website - fill out the contact form. (scroll down to see examples)
3. Use Twitter, Facebook, Instagram to tweet Representatives. This is a great way to publicly request their support.
4. Follow the same steps to send communication to our Senators (both Federal and State).
At 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 30, 2015, the Science, Space, and Technology Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives will hold a hearing titled "Dyslexia and the Need to READ: H.R. 3033, the Research Excellence and Advancements for Dyslexia Act."
Topics for the hearing include:
- the need for federal legislation to address dyslexia in the American populace
- the importance of early identification for children and students with dyslexia
- professional development needed for teachers and administrators for students with dyslexia, and what special curricula and educational tools would be most helpful.
Witnesses will address what research and development would be most beneficial for practical applications to overcome dyslexia based on their personal experience and expertise. Further background about the READ Act and the upcoming hearing is available in the Hearing Charter.
Following the hearing, the National Center for Learning Disabilities, together with several other dyslexia-related groups and organizations, will host a brief reception with Chairman Lamar Smith (TX).
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WANT CHANGE? YOUR ACTION IS NEEDED TODAY!
UPDATE: US Department of Education says it's OK to #SayDyslexia!
TWEET IT! TWITTER STORM - CONGRESS & DEPT OF ED IS ON TWITTER!
SUGGESTED CONTENT FOR TWEETS
Every Tweet should include 5 elements:
1. A short, catchy (but respectful/dignified) comment. For example:
a. Dyslexia is not a medical condition
b. Dyslexia = compass not a directive
c. If it walks & talks like a duck…
d. Name it and we can address it.
e. 80% of SLD = dyslexia.
2. A link to:
a. 50 state Decoding Dyslexia Letter http://bit.ly/1F7e6HB or
b. “Why it’s important to say dyslexia” http://bit.ly/1KLPvKY (or another DD state blog with links to all 4 letters, including our 50 state letter)
c. “An Open Letter to the Secretary of Education” http://huff.to/1dvyEMH
3. These two hashtags:
a. #SayDyslexia
b. #ReadyForSuccess
4. These two Twitter handles:
a. @USEDGOV
b. @ED_Sped_Rehab
5. Graphic (which allows you to tag 10 more Twitter handles)
6. EXAMPLE:
Dyslexia is not a medical condition. http://bit.ly/1KLPvKY #SayDyslexia #ReadyForSuccess @USEDGOV @ED_Sped_Rehab [add graphic and tag 10 Twitter handles]
HELPFUL HINTS
· Begin by “tagging” other Decoding Dyslexia States
· Gradually begin “tagging” CCD and CASE coalition members, then expand to Dyslexia friends and allies
· Search #SayDyslexia, and ENGAGE in conversations with others. Reply, Quote, and Retweet often!
· As the week goes by, consider linking other content (examples: Kyle Redford’s “Open Letter to Arne Duncan”)
· Share graphics and links on Decoding Dyslexia state Facebook pages and encourage engagement on Twitter
· If room permits, add other hashtags and/or tag other people such as: #BacktoSchool, #Reading, #Literacy, #Dyslexia, #Parents, #Education, #SPED, #SPEDChat, #DyslexiaMatters, #LD, #LearningDifferences
TWITTER HANDLES
CONSORTIUM FOR CITIZENS WITH DISABILITIES
Association of University Centers on Disabilities @AndyAUCD
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law @BazelonCenter
Brain Injury Association of America @BIAAmerica
Council for Learning Disabilities
Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates @COPAA
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund @DREDF
Easter Seals @Easter_Seals
Institute for Educational Leadership
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities @NACDD
National Center for Learning Disabilities @NCLDOrg, @JamesWendorf, @LD_Advocate
National Center for Special Education in Charter Schools @NCSECS
National Down Syndrome Congress @PolicyUpdates
National Parent Teacher Association @NationalPTA
CASE COALITION
Council of Administrators of Special Education @CASECEC
AASA, The School Superintendents Organization @AASAHQ
Association of Education Service Agencies
Learning Disabilities Association of America @LDAofAmerica
National Association of School Psychologists @NASPOnline
National Association of State Directors of Special Education
National Education Association @NEAToday
National Rural Education Association @NREA1
National School Boards Association @NSBAComm
DYSLEXIA FRIENDS AND ALLIES
Understood @Understoodorg
Dyslexic Advantage @dyslexicadv
International Dyslexia Association @IntDyslexia
(LOCAL IDA chapters)
Eye to Eye @E2ENational
Parents Education Network @PENSF
Great Schools @GreatSchools
Child Mind Institute @ChildMindDotOrg
Learning Ally @Learning_Ally
Susan Barton @DyslexiaBarton
The Big Picture @BigPictureMovie
Harvey Hubbell @DislecksiaMovie
Kyle Redford @KyleRedford
Washington Partners @WPLLCdc
OCR @Ed_CivilRights
Dyslexia Training Institute @DyslexiaTrainer
Yale Center for Dyslexia @DyslexiaYale
Dyslexiaville @Dyslexiaville
The Kildonan School @KildonanSchool
Eagle Hill School @EagleHillSchool
Ben Foss @BenFoss
Headstrong Nation @HeadstrongNatio
DECODING DYSLEXIA TWITTER HANDLES
Decoding Dyslexia MN @DecodingMN
Decoding Dyslexia ME @DDME13ME
Decoding Dyslexia LA @DDLA14
Decoding Dyslexia NV @DD_NV
Decoding Dyslexia SD @DecodingSD
Decoding Dyslexia WI @DDWI13
Decoding Dyslexia DE @DD_DE14
Decoding Dyslexia NY @DDNY1
Decoding Dyslexia NY @DDNY13
Decoding Dyslexia NH @DecDysNH
Decoding Dyslexia MI @DyslexiaMI
Decoding Dyslexia Ok @ddok_official
Decoding Dyslexia GA @DDGA13
Decoding Dyslexia TN @DDTN13
Decoding Dyslexia UT @DDyslexiaUT
Decoding Dyslexia CA @DDCalifornia
Decoding Dyslexia KY @DcodeDyslexiaKY
Decoding Dyslexia-AK @DDAK49
Decoding Dyslexia MO @DyslexiaMO
Decoding Dyslexia IN @DDIN2013
Decoding Dyslexia RI @DecodDyslexiaRI
Decoding Dyslexia NC @DDNC13
Decoding Dyslexia-IA @DDIA13
Decoding Dyslexia CT @DDyslexiaCT
Decoding Dyslexia AL @DD_Alabama
Decoding Dyslexia MS @DDMississippi
Decoding Dyslexia OR @DDOR12
Decoding Dyslexia-IL @DyslexiaIL
Decoding Dyslexia WV @DDWV12
Decoding Dyslexia OH @DDxOH
Decoding Dyslexia VA @DDVA13
Decoding Dyslexia MA @DDyslexiaMA
Decoding Dyslexia TX @DDTX12
Decoding Dyslexia KS @DDKS12
Decoding Dyslexia-FL @DecodeDyslexia
Decoding Dyslexia MD @dyslexiasomd
Decoding Dyslexia PA @DD_PA
Decoding Dyslexia NJ @DDNJ12
Decoding Dyslexia AZ @DDAZ16
Printable Instructions:
| saydyslexia.docx |
UPDATED - HR3033 PASSED CONGRESS! Now moves to Senate! Contact Senator Mitch McConnell today!
DYSLEXIA IMPACT YOUR FAMILY?
The DEPT OF ED & CONGRESS/SENATORS NEED to hear from you.
ACTION STEP #1:
Action Needed by all of us - NOW. We will post more here but please view Leila's youtube video below to hear the outline of H.R. 3033. We need every voice heard or we will not see any change for our children, their children, ....
DYSLEXIA IMPACT YOUR FAMILY?
The DEPT OF ED & CONGRESS/SENATORS NEED to hear from you.
ACTION STEP #1:
Action Needed by all of us - NOW. We will post more here but please view Leila's youtube video below to hear the outline of H.R. 3033. We need every voice heard or we will not see any change for our children, their children, ....
ACTION STEP #2:
PLEASE we ask each of you to perform a VERY IMPORTANT follow up step with us from our meetings this week in Washington DC. Representing KY kids with dyslexia was a Teacher and Dyslexia Researcher, a Teacher/Reading Specialist and mom of two dyslexic children, and a Mom of a dyslexic son.
This follow up thank you step will allow the Representatives to better see who we were representing during our visit and to continue making your voice heard. We very much appreciated the time they provided to meet with us this week.
Please see below the list of Kentucky Policy makers who met with us this week and please help us thank and encourage them as follows (feel free to edit your letter in your own words):
1) (this is so important!) Thank you for meeting with our Decoding Dyslexia Kentucky representatives in Washington, DC!
2) Our family encourages you to Join the House/Senate Dyslexia Caucus led by Senator Cassidy(R-LA), Senator Bennet (D-CO), Congressman Smith (R-TX) and Congresswoman Brownley (D-CA) to raise awareness about the millions of citizens with dyslexia, the most prevalent learning disability. Currently Kentucky does not have any representation on this Caucus. We know that we have between 15-20% of Kentucky students needing your support.
If you have Twitter please send your thank you via email/mailed letter AND tweet a thanks.
Please send a thank you to the following representatives for the district in which you live: (don't know which district you are in? Go here (copy and paste links if needed): http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/
District #2
Congressman Brett Guthrie (we met with his staff member)
Send thank you via their website contact form at: http://guthrie.house.gov/
or mail letter to:
The Honorable Brett Guthrie
2434 Rayburn H.O.B.
Washington, DC 20515
(202)225-3501 or fax letter to: (202)226-2019
District #3
Congressman John Yarmuth
send thank you via website contact form: http://yarmuth.house.gov/
Twitter @RepJohnYarmuth
Send letter to: The Honorable Congressman John Yarmuth
403 Cannon House Office Building, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515
District #4
Congressman Thomas Massie
send thank you via website contact form:http://massieforms.house.gov/contact/
Twitter @RepThomasMassie
send letter to:
The Honorable Congressman Thomas Massie
314 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-1704
(202)225-3465 or Fax letter to: (202)225-0003
District #6
Congressman Andy Barr
send letter via website contact form: http://barr.house.gov/
Twitter @RepAndyBarr
send letter to:
The Honorable Andy Barr
1432 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202)225-4706
Unable to meet with us was Rep Whitfield and Rep Rogers. We did leave material at their office with a request to review the Dyslexia Caucus information and to consider participation. ACTION STEP #3 will help you with communicating to these Representatives.
District #1 Ed Whitfield
District #5 Harold Hal Rogers
ACTION STEP #3
PLEASE help us deliver these 5 IMMEDIATE ACTIONS our members of Congress can take to support our children and students with dyslexia!
If you are sending this separate from the other two requests below (we need all families and teachers, etc. to make sure to take ALL 3 Action Steps listed on this facebook site), please include the following to your district's Representative:
Dear (Representative),
Open with a quick introduction of yourself (parent or education or both) and the name of your child. Feel free to include a photo of your child.
We are advocating for the following:
-A universal definition and understanding of "dyslexia in the state education code and federal legislation
-Mandatory teacher training on dyslexia, its warning signs and appropriate intervention strategies
-Mandatory early screening tests for dyslexia
-Mandatory dyslexia remediation programs, which can be accessed by both general and special education populations
-Access to appropriate "assistive technologies" in the public school setting for students with dyslexia
Here are 5 immediate actions you can take to support my child and students like him/her:
1) Join the Bi-Partisan House/Senate Dyslexia Caucus
2) Request the U.S. Department of Education Issue Guidance to States Regarding Dyslexia.
We are told that existing state/school district policy prohibits the use of the term 'dyslexia'. This is not true. IDEA includes the term 'dyslexia' in both the law and regulations. USED should provide guidance to states affirming what is included in the IDEA and ADA. Among the highest priorities are ensuring that teachers are trained in and using evidence-based structure literacy interventions, and that students with dyslexia are provided with access to assistive technology when needed as a right to equal access to the curriculum.
3)Include Comprehensive Center to Support Literacy for Students with Dyslexia in the Rewrite of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
The Senate's version of ESEA - the Every Child Achieves Act - includes a comprehensive center to help students at-risk for not attaining full literacy skills due to a disability, such as dyslexia or other learning disabilities. This Center is a critical resource for parents and educators to identify challenges early, provide evidence-based instructional strategies based on the principles of structured literacy, and access professional development on screening, intervention, and assistive technology.
4) Strengthen School Accountability to Close Achievement Gaps in the Rewrite of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
Legislation in the House and Senate to rewrite ESEA does not include strong accountability provisions that would prompt interventions and supports when groups of students - such as students with disabilities - are not achieving. Families expect when children fall behind, their school will take action to improve. This is very important because lax oversight, enforcement and monitoring of protections provided by the Individual with Disabilities Education Act negatively impacts students with disabilities and their families, making strong accountability for students with disabilities a vital element of a new ESEA.
5) Co-Sponsor the Bi-Partisan READ Act (H. R. 3033)
The Research Excellence and Advances for Dyslexia Act (READ Act) - sponsored by Representative Smith (R-TX) and Brownley (D-CA) - directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to conduct research on dyslexia, focusing on areas such as the early identification, professional development and curricula and other education tools for children with dyslexia. Additionally the READ Act requires the President's annual budget proposal to include funding for the Research in Disabilities Education program within NSF.
We understand that Decoding Dyslexia Kentucky representatives have delivered this message to your office. We hope that you will represent our family, my child/children with dyslexia and take the actions needed to support us.
Thank you.
Best Regards/Sincerely,
(You)
PLEASE we ask each of you to perform a VERY IMPORTANT follow up step with us from our meetings this week in Washington DC. Representing KY kids with dyslexia was a Teacher and Dyslexia Researcher, a Teacher/Reading Specialist and mom of two dyslexic children, and a Mom of a dyslexic son.
This follow up thank you step will allow the Representatives to better see who we were representing during our visit and to continue making your voice heard. We very much appreciated the time they provided to meet with us this week.
Please see below the list of Kentucky Policy makers who met with us this week and please help us thank and encourage them as follows (feel free to edit your letter in your own words):
1) (this is so important!) Thank you for meeting with our Decoding Dyslexia Kentucky representatives in Washington, DC!
2) Our family encourages you to Join the House/Senate Dyslexia Caucus led by Senator Cassidy(R-LA), Senator Bennet (D-CO), Congressman Smith (R-TX) and Congresswoman Brownley (D-CA) to raise awareness about the millions of citizens with dyslexia, the most prevalent learning disability. Currently Kentucky does not have any representation on this Caucus. We know that we have between 15-20% of Kentucky students needing your support.
If you have Twitter please send your thank you via email/mailed letter AND tweet a thanks.
Please send a thank you to the following representatives for the district in which you live: (don't know which district you are in? Go here (copy and paste links if needed): http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/
District #2
Congressman Brett Guthrie (we met with his staff member)
Send thank you via their website contact form at: http://guthrie.house.gov/
or mail letter to:
The Honorable Brett Guthrie
2434 Rayburn H.O.B.
Washington, DC 20515
(202)225-3501 or fax letter to: (202)226-2019
District #3
Congressman John Yarmuth
send thank you via website contact form: http://yarmuth.house.gov/
Twitter @RepJohnYarmuth
Send letter to: The Honorable Congressman John Yarmuth
403 Cannon House Office Building, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515
District #4
Congressman Thomas Massie
send thank you via website contact form:http://massieforms.house.gov/contact/
Twitter @RepThomasMassie
send letter to:
The Honorable Congressman Thomas Massie
314 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-1704
(202)225-3465 or Fax letter to: (202)225-0003
District #6
Congressman Andy Barr
send letter via website contact form: http://barr.house.gov/
Twitter @RepAndyBarr
send letter to:
The Honorable Andy Barr
1432 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202)225-4706
Unable to meet with us was Rep Whitfield and Rep Rogers. We did leave material at their office with a request to review the Dyslexia Caucus information and to consider participation. ACTION STEP #3 will help you with communicating to these Representatives.
District #1 Ed Whitfield
District #5 Harold Hal Rogers
ACTION STEP #3
PLEASE help us deliver these 5 IMMEDIATE ACTIONS our members of Congress can take to support our children and students with dyslexia!
If you are sending this separate from the other two requests below (we need all families and teachers, etc. to make sure to take ALL 3 Action Steps listed on this facebook site), please include the following to your district's Representative:
Dear (Representative),
Open with a quick introduction of yourself (parent or education or both) and the name of your child. Feel free to include a photo of your child.
We are advocating for the following:
-A universal definition and understanding of "dyslexia in the state education code and federal legislation
-Mandatory teacher training on dyslexia, its warning signs and appropriate intervention strategies
-Mandatory early screening tests for dyslexia
-Mandatory dyslexia remediation programs, which can be accessed by both general and special education populations
-Access to appropriate "assistive technologies" in the public school setting for students with dyslexia
Here are 5 immediate actions you can take to support my child and students like him/her:
1) Join the Bi-Partisan House/Senate Dyslexia Caucus
2) Request the U.S. Department of Education Issue Guidance to States Regarding Dyslexia.
We are told that existing state/school district policy prohibits the use of the term 'dyslexia'. This is not true. IDEA includes the term 'dyslexia' in both the law and regulations. USED should provide guidance to states affirming what is included in the IDEA and ADA. Among the highest priorities are ensuring that teachers are trained in and using evidence-based structure literacy interventions, and that students with dyslexia are provided with access to assistive technology when needed as a right to equal access to the curriculum.
3)Include Comprehensive Center to Support Literacy for Students with Dyslexia in the Rewrite of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
The Senate's version of ESEA - the Every Child Achieves Act - includes a comprehensive center to help students at-risk for not attaining full literacy skills due to a disability, such as dyslexia or other learning disabilities. This Center is a critical resource for parents and educators to identify challenges early, provide evidence-based instructional strategies based on the principles of structured literacy, and access professional development on screening, intervention, and assistive technology.
4) Strengthen School Accountability to Close Achievement Gaps in the Rewrite of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
Legislation in the House and Senate to rewrite ESEA does not include strong accountability provisions that would prompt interventions and supports when groups of students - such as students with disabilities - are not achieving. Families expect when children fall behind, their school will take action to improve. This is very important because lax oversight, enforcement and monitoring of protections provided by the Individual with Disabilities Education Act negatively impacts students with disabilities and their families, making strong accountability for students with disabilities a vital element of a new ESEA.
5) Co-Sponsor the Bi-Partisan READ Act (H. R. 3033)
The Research Excellence and Advances for Dyslexia Act (READ Act) - sponsored by Representative Smith (R-TX) and Brownley (D-CA) - directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to conduct research on dyslexia, focusing on areas such as the early identification, professional development and curricula and other education tools for children with dyslexia. Additionally the READ Act requires the President's annual budget proposal to include funding for the Research in Disabilities Education program within NSF.
We understand that Decoding Dyslexia Kentucky representatives have delivered this message to your office. We hope that you will represent our family, my child/children with dyslexia and take the actions needed to support us.
Thank you.
Best Regards/Sincerely,
(You)
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The Necessary Call to Action: 1) We need parents help to ensure our state is aware of the struggles our students and their families are going through. Please consider contacting our Kentucky Department of Education to make them aware that you are a KY family with a student that has dyslexia who is struggling in their school and needs appropriate intervention and accommodations. Our teachers need support to identify and provide the right help to our kids. 2) Contact or send a letter/email to our State policy makers. Our State representatives need to know what is important to each of us. ~18% of KY families with kiddos in school are challenged with the educational gaps we see due to the lack of professional development of all our educators, lack of early identification, and the lack of early appropriate and effective based intervention. Send an email to us at decodingdyslexiaky@gmail.com for this resource list. We will provide you with your representatives addresses, phone numbers, emails, facebooks, and more... |
*YOUR VOICE COUNTS!* We know our children struggle and that it impacts them throughout each day, each class, each task they encounter. Some school districts try to provide appropriate interventions and accommodations. Many more do not. If you feel your child isn't receiving the interventions and/or accommodations he/she needs to be successful, please let your voice be heard by contacting the Kentucky Department of Education. Call (502) 564-4770 or write to them and send your story to: Kentucky Department of Education Capital Plaza Tower 500 Mero Street Frankfort, KY 40601 You are also able to initiate contact by clicking here to be directed to the KDE website contact form. |
*KENTUCKY PARENTS, STUDENTS, TEACHERS *
Our Decoding Dyslexia - KY team is collecting letters from parents, students, teachers and their experiences they face addressing the dyslexia concern in school.
These are going to be a powerful message as we begin our discussions with Kentucky Dept of Ed and our State Policy makers in Frankfort. You do not need to worry about professionally writing the letter, we only want your story, in your words.
Please include a photo of your child if you feel comfortable.
Adults with dyslexia, we want your story too.
What was it like for you in school?
How did your educational experience impact your life now?
What would've helped?
Letters from teachers do not need to be signed, rather just submitted as "Teacher from ________ County".
If you have questions please let me know. Please submit letters to decodingdyslexiaky@gmail.com
Thank you for helping us help out the 1 in 5 kids who are super smart and yet struggling so much!
Our Decoding Dyslexia - KY team is collecting letters from parents, students, teachers and their experiences they face addressing the dyslexia concern in school.
These are going to be a powerful message as we begin our discussions with Kentucky Dept of Ed and our State Policy makers in Frankfort. You do not need to worry about professionally writing the letter, we only want your story, in your words.
Please include a photo of your child if you feel comfortable.
Adults with dyslexia, we want your story too.
What was it like for you in school?
How did your educational experience impact your life now?
What would've helped?
Letters from teachers do not need to be signed, rather just submitted as "Teacher from ________ County".
If you have questions please let me know. Please submit letters to decodingdyslexiaky@gmail.com
Thank you for helping us help out the 1 in 5 kids who are super smart and yet struggling so much!
