Dyslexia Services
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FORT SAM HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
Dyslexia Services Program
In FSHISD, each campus has Dyslexia Services Teachers dedicated to providing student-centered instructional supports to strengthen the fundamental skill of reading to foster lifelong success. Our program develops the minds of students, empowering them to become successful, active contributors in society. Dyslexia teachers collaborate with classroom teachers, and campus interventionists, 504 and Special Education coordinators monitor student reading capacity, assess students demonstrating specific need, and provide instruction for qualifying students. A student may also be referred for evaluation by the parent. The following are the campus-level contacts for this program.
- Elementary Dyslexia Teachers - Vickie David, Carol Wilcox, and Marissa Lawrence
- Secondary Dyslexia Teacher - Megan Flores
- Secondary Student Services Coordinator - Mariel Gaitan-Martinez
- District Dyslexia Coordinator - Lynda Jacob
If you would like to refer your child for evaluation for eligibility of Dyslexia or related disorders services, please contact Lynda Jacob at 210-368-8754 or [email protected]
Dyslexia Program Policy
FSHISD has adopted policies in compliance with state and federal requirements. Their contents can be found in FB(LOCAL), EHB (LEGAL), AG(LEGAL), EKC(LEGAL), BQ(LEGAL), EIE(LEGAL), and EHBC(LEGAL). The policies address equal educational opportunity, screening, testing, identification, treatment, curriculum design of dyslexia programs, parental notice, freedom from discrimination, campus planning, and decision-making, and grade retention and promotion considerations.
The state-required grade-level reading screening activities administered to Kindergarten, First-Grade, and Seventh-Grade students are used in addition to classroom evidence to screen for students that may qualify for dyslexia services. For more information see the Intervention Special Program Description.
Program services may be accounted for under the 504 or Special Education program dependent on the needs of the student. Section 504 and Special Education Admission, Review Dismissal (ARD) committees determine reasonable supports to be made available to individuals in order to offer appropriate access to educational opportunity. If a teacher, school counselor, administrator, or other District employee has reason to believe that a student may have dyslexia, the District shall collaborate with the parent to initiate the formal assessment process.
Dyslexia Program Instruction and Supports
Dyslexia Campus Teachers provide instruction utilizing Reading by Design. Reading by Design is an evidence-based program addressing instructional components and approaches designated by TEA. Student progress is continuously monitored and then shared with parents on a quarterly basis. Annually, or at the request of teachers or parents, areas of need, goal(s), plans for supports, and progress are discussed in 504 or ARD committee meetings.
On both the Fort Sam Houston Elementary and Robert G. Cole Middle/High School campuses, students with dyslexia are scheduled a specific time or class period during which dyslexia instruction is provided.
Parent Resources
Dyslexia and Related Disorders Texas Education Agency Site
Understanding Dyslexia resources created by Understood for learning and attention issues in affiliation with the National Center for Learning Disabilities
Texas Talking Book ProgramCreators: Lesson by Kelli Sandman-Hurley, animation by Marc Christoforidis for TED-Ed
Video Description: Dyslexia affects up to 1 in 5 people, but the experience of dyslexia isn't always the same. This difficulty in processing language exists along a spectrum -- one that doesn't necessarily fit with labels like "normal" and "defective." Kelli Sandman-Hurley urges us to think again about dyslexic brain function and to celebrate the neurodiversity of the human brain.
What is Dyslexia?Creator: Dr. Sheldon Horowitz for the National Center for Learning Disabilities
Video Description: Dyslexia is a learning disability that people are born with. This language processing disorder can hinder reading, writing, spelling, and sometimes even speaking. Dr. Horowitz talks about dyslexia and its impact on individuals with LD.