According to the International Dyslexia Association, 15–20% of the population may have symptoms of dyslexia, which include slow or inaccurate reading, weak spelling, and poor writing. The learning process for students with dyslexia is different—with many being strong visual, out-of-the-box thinkers—so teachers need to learn strategies and best practices to identify and support these students.
The California Dyslexia Initiative (CDI), which is a grant-funded project led by the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE), is offering a series of online professional learning network (PLN) sessions taught by leading dyslexia experts. The free training gives educators opportunities to learn skills and techniques while collaborating with colleagues to share knowledge and experience.
Spring 2023 Professional Learning Network Overview
CDI will host its next PLN session on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 (9 a.m.–1 p.m.).
Tracy Weeden, Ph.D., from the Neuhaus Education Center will be the keynote speaker. Her presentation is titled “Literacy Is a Human Right of the 21st Century.”
Following the keynote, breakout sessions will be led by:
- Kim Gibbons, Ph.D.—Director of the Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (University of Minnesota)
- Jan Hasbrouck, Ph.D.—Educational Consultant, Author, and Researcher
- Doris Luft Baker, Ph.D.—Associate Professor, Departments of Special Education/Curriculum and Instruction (University of Texas, Austin)
- Rebecca Tolson, Ph.D.—Vice President of Literacy Initiatives (Neuhaus Education Center)
- Lindsay Young, M.A.—Reading Intervention Teacher (LAUSD), Adjunct Faculty (CSU Northridge), and CALI Reads Team
Registration
Participation in the online event is free and open to educators throughout California. It is presented by SCOE in partnership with the California Department of Education (CDE), the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE), and the California State Board of Education (SBE).
- Register online (previous PLN attendees have already been automatically registered)
- Spring 2023 Dyslexia Initiative PLN flyer
About the California Dyslexia Initiative
In addition to the professional learning network sessions, with three years of grant funding, the California Dyslexia Initiative is providing specialized professional learning opportunities, resource highlights, and a series of expert speaker webinars for educators. The goal is to help educators address the needs of struggling readers and students with dyslexia. CDI is also working with the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Dyslexia Center to develop and test a digital screening system to identify reading difficulties, providing reading intervention as early as possible, and helping change the trajectory for millions of students who might otherwise fail.
For questions and additional information, please email cadyslexia@scoe.net.