What is Dyslexia?

The Texas Education Code defines dyslexia as: 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.

The International Dyslexia Association defines dyslexia as: 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.

The Assessment Process

The assessment process for dyslexia and related disorders in the Schertz Cibolo Universal City Independent School District is based on the domains established in The Texas Dyslexia Handbook. Low performance in these areas in relation to the student’s age indicates reading difficulties consistent with the characteristics of dyslexia. These areas are:

Reading single words in isolation

Word decoding (real and non-real words)

Phonological awareness

Letter knowledge (names and sounds)

Rapid naming

Fluency/rate and accuracy

Reading comprehension

Spelling

Instructional Program

Once a student has been identified as having dyslexia or a related disorder, the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District shall provide for the treatment of the disorder. The program provided must be in accordance with The Dyslexia Handbook.

The primary program used to provide supplemental instruction in Schertz-Cibolo-UC ISD is Reading by Design. It is a systematic, sequential phonics program which addresses both encoding and decoding. It also addresses fluency and comprehension. This program is offered on both elementary and secondary level. Lessons can take place in a one-on-one setting or small group. It is a pullout program. The number of minutes per session and the number of sessions per week will vary from campus to campus, however a student identified with dyslexia will receive 180 minutes of instruction per week overall. If a student is identified with dyslexia within the last 4 weeks of school, the student will begin receiving dyslexia services the following school year.

Barbara C. Jordan Intermediate School

Specialized Programs & Services

Gifted & Talented (GT)

English as a Second Language (ESL)

Dyslexia/Reading Specialists

Special Education Services

Interventionists