Dyslexia Guidelines Work Group

Background

Assembly Bill (AB) 1369, Statutes of 2015, required the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop and to complete in time for use no later than the beginning of the 2017-18 academic year, program guidelines for dyslexia. The guidelines are to be used to assist regular education teachers, special education teachers, and parents to identify and assess pupils with dyslexia, and to plan, provide, evaluate, and improve educational services to pupils with dyslexia.

For purposes of writing the guidelines, the bill also required the California Department of Education (CDE) to consult with teachers, school administrators, other educational professionals, medical professionals, parents, and other professionals involved in the identification and education of pupils with dyslexia.

In addition, the CDE has created an e-mail box through which the public can send questions or comments pertaining to the dyslexia guidelines. That e-mail address is Dyslexia@cde.ca.gov.

The full text of AB 1369 is available on the California Legislative Information Web site .

The California Dyslexia Guidelines (PDF; 2MB; Updated 04-Mar-2019); The California Dyslexia Guidelines - Update Details

AB 1369, Statutes of 2015, required the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop program guidelines for dyslexia. The guidelines are to be used to assist regular education teachers, special education teachers, and parents to identify and assess pupils with dyslexia, and to plan, provide, evaluate, and improve educational services to pupils with dyslexia.

The guidance contained in California Dyslexia Guidelines is not binding on local educational agencies or other entities. Except for the statutes, regulations, and court decisions that are referenced, the document is exemplary, and compliance with it is not mandatory. (See Education Code Section 33308.5.)

The following tables are included in the California Dyslexia Guidelines. Web versions of the tables are provided to enhance accessibility to assistive technologies that are often used by persons with disabilities.

• Table 6.1. Relationship of error patterns to potential language processing deficits
• Table 6.2. Relationship of error patterns to potential memory deficits
• Table 6.3. Relationship of error patterns to potential attention and depth of processing deficits

Dyslexia Guidelines Work Group Members

• Names and affiliations of the work group members (Updated 01-May-2017)

Dyslexia Guidelines Work Group Meeting Agendas

• April 21, 2016 Agenda

• May 19, 2016 Agenda

• July 20, 2016 Agenda

• September 29, 2016 Agenda

• November 18, 2016 Agenda

• January 17, 2017 Agenda

• March 24, 2017 Agenda

Dyslexia Guidelines Work Group Archived Webcasts

• July 20, 2016 Meeting (Video; 4:09:38)

• September 29, 2016 Meeting (Video; 3:27:05)

• November 18, 2016 Meeting (Video; 4:45:18)

• January 17, 2017 Meeting (Video; 3:14:41)

• March 24, 2017 Meeting (Video; 1:34:12)

Federal Guidance

Dear Colleague: Dyslexia Guidance letter (PDF) dated October 23, 2015, from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services on the unique educational needs of children with dyslexia and other conditions identified as specific learning disabilities.

Senate Resolution 275 is a resolution calling on Congress, schools, and state and local educational agencies to recognize the significant educational implications of dyslexia that must be addressed and designating October 2015 as "National Dyslexia Awareness Month".

Senate Resolution 576 is a resolution calling on Congress, schools, and state and local educational agencies to recognize the significant educational implications of dyslexia that must be addressed and designating October 2016 as "National Dyslexia Awareness Month".

State Guidance

Anniversary of the California Dyslexia Guidelines Publication
August 20, 2018, letter to Special Education Local Plan Area Directors and Special Education Administrators of County Offices of Education.

Organizations

Additional sources of information about educating students with dyslexia.

International Dyslexia Association
According to its mission statement, the IDA is an association that actively promotes effective teaching approaches and related clinical educational intervention strategies for dyslexics. It supports and encourages interdisciplinary research. It facilitates the exploration of the causes and early identification of dyslexia and is committed to the responsible and wide dissemination of research-based knowledge.

Decoding Dyslexia California
According to its Web site, “Decoding Dyslexia CA is a grassroots movement driven by California families, educators and dyslexia experts concerned with the limited access to educational interventions for dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities within our public schools.”