Did you know that the Iowa Department of Education has a page solely about dyslexia? Along with guidance and technical assistance, you can read about the recommendations for how to respond to students with dyslexia/characteristics of dyslexia. See the Department's dyslexia priorities below:
The Department’s dyslexia priorities
The Department’s priorities focus on areas of policy in which it has authority to provide guidance and technical assistance and align to the Iowa Dyslexia Board recommendations. Resources are developed with feedback and guidance from the board with a focus on practices that have the biggest impact on students with dyslexia/characteristics of dyslexia. The following are Department priorities:
- Priority 1: Develop guidance, tools and resources to help educators understand how the term “dyslexia” can be used in Iowa schools and how to partner with families about concerns around dyslexia.
- Priority 2: Develop guidance, tools and resources for informal diagnostic assessment for students at risk for reading difficulties. Such assessments would be used to inform intervention including dyslexia specific interventions for students with dyslexia/characteristics of dyslexia.
- Priority 3: Develop guidance, tools and resources that detail the elements of explicit and systematic literacy instruction for students with dyslexia/characteristics of dyslexia. Read What is Structured Literacy? from the International Dyslexia Association (IDA).
Additionally, educational personnel are required to complete the IRRC Dyslexia Overview Module by 7/1/2024 or within one year of employment after 7/1/2024.
See the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners Endorsement List to see if you hold a license or have an assignment that is required to complete the module.