NEWSLETTER 17 Learning Ally February 2012 18 Scholarship Opportunities 21 Board Members and Advisory Council 22 Calendar of Events 23 Advertisements
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Legislative Update 2 Letter from the President 4 Dyslexia Recognized Through Team Effort 5 How an Ohio Dyslexia Law was Born 6 Keynote Speaker Gordon Sherman: Online Interview from SchwabLearning.org 8 Who are We? 8 Active Student Engagement 9 Dyslexia Dash Rewards Runners of All Northern Ohio Branch Abilities & Speeds Formerly The Orton Dyslexia Society 16 Dyslexia Rally III 16 Walk in the Shoes of a Dyslexic: A Simulation 17 Branch Spotlight: New Executive Assistant, Nicole Herron NEWSLETTER 17 Learning Ally February 2012 18 Scholarship Opportunities 21 Board Members and Advisory Council 22 Calendar of Events 23 Advertisements House Bill 96 (Celeste - D & Legislative Update Brenner - R) by Charlotte Andrist, Central Ohio Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (COBIDA) President This law will: House Bills (HB) 96 and 157 were unanimously passed by the Ohio Senate with a 1) place the IDA definition of dyslexia subsequent unanimous concurrence vote in the Ohio House during a late night, end directly into Ohio the Ohio Revised of the year Statehouse session on December 14. Both bills were signed into law by Code. Although the term “dyslexia” is Governor Kasich on December 21. currently listed as a specific learning disability within the 2008 Ohio Special Education Operating Standards, Ohio law does not contain a definition of dyslexia; and 2) begin a 3-year pilot program for the early identification and remediation of students at-risk for dyslexia and other phonologically based reading disorders. HB 157 (Schuring - R & Let- son - D) This law will: 1) define a dyslexia specialist as someone who has achieved training consistent with the Level II IDA Knowledge and Practice Standards; and Governor Kasich signs the Ohio Dylexia Law surrounded by legislators, members of the Ohio branches of IDA, and other supporters. Continued on page 3 1 With financial health intact, IDA can We will be at the Bertram Inn in Aurora off to a wonderful start that will be Have a wonderful and Letter from The President focus upon its strategic plan. One of the for another outstanding program. I have complemented by break-out sessions productive 2012, major initiatives at national headquarters had several opportunities to talk with our throughout the day. Grab a colleague, By Larry Orrach, M.Ed., President of begin to experience difficulties and is increased membership among parents keynote speaker, Gordon Sherman. I am friend, or someone you know who is Larry Orrach NOBIDA frustration. The second law, H.B. 157, of children with dyslexia. To invite more fascinated and awed by his intelligence affected by dyslexia and bring them to promotes professional development for parents to join IDA, annual membership and vision. Having heard him speak at this truly important event. Greetings, teachers in Ohio, to better equip them fees for parents have been lowered recent national conferences, I know to teach reading to students who have to only $45 per year. As a benefit of he will get this year’s symposium Happy New Year and welcome to 2012. dyslexia and other reading problems. membership, IDA’s website has a unique I trust you had an enjoyable holiday Through programs sponsored by state section for parents. At the 2012 national season and you are looking forward to Educational Service Centers or school conference in Baltimore, IDA will host its another year of progress in our efforts for districts, teachers will be exposed to first parent-focused conference. Look for universal literacy. the research based practices that are education, networking, and socialization Legislative Update effective for helping all children learn opportunities. Please share the news This past year, 2011, was a watershed to read, especially those children who of the reduced membership fee and Continued from page 1 year for efforts to improve reading struggle with the teaching methods increased benefits with parents you instruction and achievement for students presently used in many schools. know who would be interested. 2) give Educational Service Centers in Ohio. Two bills moved through the (Ohio’s statewide network of inservice legislature and were signed by the Another effort to improve reading IDA and NOBIDA will focus on training facilities) and other educational governor just before the end of the year. instruction began last year in Ohio. professional development for educators institutions permissive authority to hire a Many thanks go to Stephanie Gordon, Working with representatives from as required by H.B. 157. Workshops dyslexia specialist to provide professional Rebecca Tolson, and Pam Kanfer from the three Ohio Branches of IDA and will bring the new IDA Knowledge development in dyslexia for Ohio NOBIDA, who spearheaded this effort several state universities, the Ohio and Practice Standards to classrooms teachers grades K-4. Left to right: Legislators responsible for the passage of the dyslexia law: Reps. Ted Celeste, Andrew along with representatives from the Board of Regents is seeking to infuse across Ohio. To ensure uniform quality, Brenner, Kirk Schuring, and Tom Letson Central Ohio and Ohio Valley branches. standards from the recently developed representatives from the three Ohio IDA Thank you, Representatives Ted Celeste Thanks are also extended to the many IDA Knowledge and Practice Standards branches will meet to develop a syllabus and Andrew Brenner!!! signed petitions. To learn more about these bills, go to people who drove to Columbus to into a preservice teacher education to guide the professional development. these links: provide testimony to the legislature program. These standards will guide The legislation requires that workshops Thank you, Representatives Kirk Shuring Thanks to those who wrote and sent highlighting the need to provide help to university teacher education programs be delivered by competent instructors and Tom Letson!!! their “stories” to the legislators. HB 96 (Celeste - D & Brenner - R) children across Ohio who struggle to to prepare teachers to use the practices who are dyslexia specialists. A workshop learn to read. that research has shown are effective for school administrators is also being Thanks to your aides who so patiently Thanks to those who attended the House Vote: www.ohiochannel.org/ for teaching children to read. The developed so that school leaders advised us, directed us, and kept us on Rallies. MediaLibrary/Media.aspx?fileId=131130 The first law, H.B. 96, places Dyslexia Board of Regents will use the revised understand the standards and can guide course! &startTime=1299&autoStart=True in the Ohio statutes and establishes teacher education standards when it their teachers toward improvements in Thanks to all Ohioans who contacted dyslexia as a qualification for special reviews teacher preparation programs teaching reading. Thank you for taking on the task of their legislators concerning dyslexia and Senate Vote: www.ohiochannel.org/ education services. Finally, in Ohio, at the state universities. Again, thanks pushing....advocating....supporting advocated for the support of these two MediaLibrary/Media.aspx?fileId=133922 we have official recognition of the go to Stephanie Gordon, Pam Kanfer, A new fund-raising event was initiated dyslexia legislation in the House and bills. Without your voice the passage of &startTime=2012&autoStart=True major cause of reading problems MaryHeather Munger, and Rebecca by NOBIDA in October at Lawrence the Senate. You went beyond the call of these bills would not have occurred!!! for children. The law sets up a pilot Tolson for their leadership with this School. Under the direction of Courtney duty!!! House Concurrence Vote: www. project to demonstrate and evaluate initiative. Baker and Mary Jo O’Neill, the first Thanks to the Executive Committee of ohiochannel.org/MediaLibrary/Media.asp the effectiveness of an early reading annual NOBIDA Dyslexia Dash was Thanks to the members of the House the Ohio Dyslexia Group for the many x?fileId=133924&startTime=5867&auto assistance program for children with This year, 2012, promises to be filled held. Most importantly, the Dash, along and Senate Education Committees meetings, conference calls, trips to Start=True dyslexia. The partnership includes with many more important steps for IDA with our annual simulation program led who listened to the testimonials from Columbus, and time spent planning the the Ohio Library Council, the state and NOBIDA. First, I am happy to report by Ellen Brick, “Walk in the Shoes of professionals, parents, students, and strategy, gathering testimony, and calling HB 157 (Schuring - R & Letson - D) Superintendent, the International that the IDA national office, after several a Dyslexic,” was part of our Dyslexia adults with dyslexia. witnesses! Dyslexia Association or any other difficult financial years, had a positive Awareness campaign for October. House Vote: www.ohiochannel.org/ nationally recognized organization budget balance last year. Fundraising About a hundred runners shared in the And....after listening...you took action On behalf of people with dyslexia, their MediaLibrary/Media.aspx?fileId=131673 that specializes in issues surrounding efforts have produced very positive promotion of dyslexia awareness as they and passed both H.B. 96 and 157 families, and all who support them, Thank &startTime=9547&autoStart=True dyslexia, and will develop an early results. Very strong attendance at this raced through the communities around unanimously! You!!! screening procedure for pre-school aged