Assessment for dyslexia will be recommended if a student demonstrates the following:

• Poor performance in one or more areas of reading and spelling that is unexpected for the student’s age/grade

• Characteristics and risk factors of dyslexia

Assessment Process

Through the IDEA process, Lubbock ISD will complete the evaluation using the following procedures:

• Notify parents/guardians of the proposal to assess the student for dyslexia

• Inform parents/guardians of their rights under IDEA

• Obtain permission from parents/guardians to assess the student for dyslexia

• Assess the student, being sure that the individuals who administer assessments have training in the evaluation of students for dyslexia

       1. Data Gathering

           Collect academic history; samples of school work; teacher reports; parent reports; interventions/accommodations provided; classroom/state assessments; observations; outside evaluations; universal screening; attendance, and any other pertinent data.

       2. Formal Assessment

           Formal assessment includes both formal and informal data. All data will be used to determine whether the student demonstrates a pattern of evidence for dyslexia.

Domains to assess include:

• Academic skills – Letter knowledge, decoding, word recognition, fluency (rate, accuracy, and prosody), spelling, and reading comprehension

• Cognitive processes – Phonological processing, rapid naming, and orthographic processing

• Additional areas – May include listening comprehension, vocabulary, handwriting, written expression

Questions to be considered when making a determination of dyslexia:

• Does the data show a pattern of low reading and spelling skills that is unexpected for the student in relation to the student’s other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction?

• Does this pattern indicate the student has dyslexia?

• Does the student have a disability under IDEA?