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Dyslexia

Definition

Kansas has adopted the International Dyslexia Association’s definition of dyslexia.

Dyslexia is “a specific learning disability that is neurobiological 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.” (International Dyslexia Association, 2002)

Characteristics of Dyslexia

Some or all of the following characteristics may be present in individuals with dyslexia.

  • Difficulty learning to read, write, spell and do arithmetic
  • Difficulty following oral and written instructions
  • Handwriting challenges
  • Focus struggles- remaining on task
  • Delayed spoken language
  • Confusion about directions in time, space, left-right, up and down, yesterday and tomorrow
  • High level of frustration
  • Difficulty in retaining information
  • Test-taking anxiety
  • Increased or reduced energy level
  • Immaturity

Universal Screening

Universal screeners are brief assessments designed to measure skills that are highly predictive of future academic outcomes. In Blue Valley Schools, universal screening is part of our comprehensive literacy instruction.

  • Students in kindergarten through eighth grade are screened three times per year.
  • Students in ninth grade are screened in the fall of their 9th grade year.
  • Students in tenth through twelfth grade are screened if they are new to the district or the need for continued screening has been determined. 

Universal screening data helps identify students who may be at risk for reading difficulties, including dyslexia, and allows for earlier intervention.

Teacher Professional Learning

The Blue Valley School District is committed to ongoing teacher professional learning in literacy, particularly the science of reading, structured literacy instruction and dyslexia.  In addition to professional learning in these areas, our teachers participate in additional learning experiences in specific literacy resources as well as structured literacy aligned approaches to instruction.

State Policies vs. Blue Valley Actions

State Policies Resulting from the Dyslexia Taskforce Blue Valley’s Actions Blue Valley’s Actions Beyond the Policies
Districts will provide professional learning for teachers in certain areas of licensure on dyslexia, the science of reading and structured literacy.

All Blue Valley teachers completed the state’s six hours of professional learning on dyslexia, the science of reading and structured literacy in August 2021.

Teachers new to the profession or new to Blue Valley participate in six hours of professional learning on dyslexia, the science of reading, and structured literacy.

Teachers receive professional learning annually in dyslexia, the science of reading, and structured literacy.

 Blue Valley implemented and continues to provide additional professional learning for groups of educators in the structured literacy approach and structured literacy aligned resources.
Districts will implement screening of all students in the area of reading for the purpose of identifying students at risk of reading difficulties.

A universal screener is given to all students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade three times per year.

Student in ninth grade are screened in the fall of their ninth grade year.

Students in tenth through twelfth grade are screened if they are new to the district or the need for continued screening has been determined.

  
Districts will utilize evidence-based reading practices aligned to structured literacy for the teaching of reading. Professional learning on structured literacy began in 2018 and continues for teachers in support of implementation.

Additional staff have been added to support literacy at all levels, K-12. Specifically, Blue Valley benefits from:

Our Dyslexia coordinator, reading specialists and instructional design coaches provide job-embedded support for teachers.
Evidence-based interventions will be utilized to support student learning.

Blue Valley has a continued focus on evidence-based interventions utilizing high-quality resources for K-12.

  
Districts will evaluate instructional resources using provided rubrics to ensure alignment to structured literacy. Elementary resources for core instruction were reviewed utilizing state rubrics. New resources for teaching phonological awareness were implemented in 2019-20. An additional resource for teaching phonics was implemented in kindergarten through fifth grade in 2021-22.
The district adopted Amplify CKLA 3rd Edition in fall 2025 to address literacy skills beyond the foundational skills.		  
Districts will create a Dyslexia Handbook for use by staff. Blue Valley created and shared its dyslexia handbook with staff in fall 2020. The handbook is reviewed and revised annually.