Dyslexia Services
Dyslexia is a neurological condition; the characteristics of dyslexia include difficulty with recognizing words accurately and quickly, difficulty breaking down words, and poor spelling. If a student is suspected of having dyslexia, they will be evaluated and served through either Section 504 or Special Education, depending on the student's need.
Elementary students demonstrating need in fluency, decoding, spelling, or phonological awareness receive differentiated support from their teacher during the literacy block. They receive research-based direct instruction that is systematic, taught to mastery, and multisensory.
6th and 7th grade students demonstrating gaps in their reading level are enrolled in a reading intervention class where they receive research-based direct instruction in fluency and comprehension.
Universal Screening Process
YES Prep students go through a universal screening process in kindergarten through 2nd grades and in 7th grade as required by the state of Texas, which includes formal and informal data, to determine if they demonstrate characteristics of dyslexia. If students in any grade display a pattern of characteristics of dyslexia, they may be referred for an additional screening by their classroom teacher, the campus interventionists, or the Literacy Specialist.
Services Offered
Once identified, students with dyslexia are served either through 504 or Special Education and are provided with research-based individualized supports. YES Prep offers small group reading instruction with a targeted and research-based curriculum to students with dyslexia who demonstrate a need for this intervention. The Section 504 or Annual Review & Dismissal (ARD) Committee will annually review and recommend additional accommodations for all students enrolled in these programs. A list of instructional and testing accommodations will be given to families as part of the Individualized Education Plan or Section 504 plan. Additional instructional and testing accommodations information can be found on the TEA Accommodations Resources page.
Elementary interventionists and secondary Literacy Specialists receive extensive training and development in Region 4's dyslexia intervention program, Reading by Design: An Individualized Reading Intervention. This program is a systematic, multisensory approach aligned with research-based practices for developing literacy and is designed for students with basic reading difficulties, such as dyslexia.
For more information, see the Dyslexia Handbook (English, Spanish).
Should the student's family or school staff suspect a need for specially designed instruction through special education services, they can refer the student for a special education evaluation at any time.
Additional Resources
Provides free library services to qualifying Texans with visual, physical, or reading disabilities.
A project of the Family to Family Network committed to providing accurate and consistent information to parents and families of students with disabilities.
National Center on Improving Literacy for Parents and Families
Parents/Families can find resources to help your child read and write with practical ideas and strategies based on what works.
Dedicated to shaping a world where millions of people who learn and think differently can thrive at home, at school, and at work by connecting families to resources, expertise, and communities that bolster confidence.
Learning Ally Parent Resources
Offers tips to help you help your child become engaged with enriching human-read audiobooks.