 | | Overview of Dyslexia Services Mineral Wells ISD |
| Welcome to the Mineral Wells Independent School District's dyslexia support services web page. It is our hope that this page may serve as a tool to link our visitors to information, education and research about dyslexia. Whether you are a teacher, student or parent, we hope you will find this site of use. |
The mission of the Mineral Wells Independent School District's dyslexia program is to serve identified dyslexic students in the district by providing programs, support and training that meet their unique educational need. The goal is to accomplish MWISD's vision for a comprehensive dyslexia program focusing on prevention, identification, and intervention through extensive and intensive training.
Each campus in the district has trained personnel available to serve these students. These teachers are trained in methodology for intervention, training and retraining students who are at risk or identified as dyslexic. At the pre kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade campuses, two teachers are serving as dyslexia specialists. They continually monitor, observe, identify and serve students who are struggling and may be at risk for dyslexia. At the second and third grade campus, four teachers have been trained as dyslexia specialists. Two of these teachers serve students in the second grade reading lab, and at the third grade level, two teachers serve students through the reading lab. Three of these teachers are Certified Academic Language Therapists. At the fourth, fifth and sixth grade campus, two teachers are trained and have their certification as Academic Language Therapists. They serve the dyslexic students during the student's language arts block with therapy and strategies. Several special education teachers are also trained and serve students. At the junior high level, students are served through the reading lab by a trained dyslexia specialist. At the high school, students are served through individual instruction provided by a trained teacher in a content mastery setting.
In Texas, the identification and instruction of students with dyslexia and related disorders is mandated and structured by two statues and one rule. Texas Education Code (TEC) §38.003 defines dyslexia and related disorders, mandates testing students for dyslexia and providing instruction for students with dyslexia, and gives the State Board of Education authority to adopt rules and standards to administer testing and instruction. Instructional assistance is available for students who demonstrate difficulty during early reading instruction, i.e. kindergarten, first, and second grades through Texas Education Code (TEC) §28.006. The instructional program for students with dyslexia or related disorders should be offered in a small class setting and include reading, writing, and spelling as appropriate for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The responsibilities of districts and charter schools in the delivery of services is outlined in Chapter 19 of Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §74.28. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 establishes assessment and evaluation standards and procedures for students with disabilities.
If you are concerned about your child's risk of dyslexia, first and foremost, discuss your concerns with your child's classroom teacher. He or she may be able to reassure you that your child is making appropriate progress for their grade. If you continue to be concerned about your child's progress, contact the counselor at his or her school.
Carolyn Cooper
Dyslexia Coordinator
Mineral Wells ISD
