Dyslexia
Supporting Students with Dyslexia to Reach Their Full Potential
Canutillo ISD is committed to identifying and supporting students with characteristics of dyslexia through early screening, appropriate evaluation, evidence-based instruction, and ongoing collaboration with families.
What is Dyslexia?
The Texas Education Agency defines dyslexia as a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin and characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition, poor spelling, and decoding abilities.
These difficulties typically result from deficits in the phonological component of language and may affect reading comprehension and written expression.
Students with dyslexia are often bright, capable learners who benefit from explicit, systematic, and evidence-based reading instruction.
Screening and Evaluation
In accordance with the Texas Dyslexia Handbook and state law, Canutillo ISD screens students for dyslexia as required by the Texas Education Code.
When a student demonstrates characteristics of dyslexia, the district reviews multiple sources of data to determine whether an evaluation is appropriate.
Evaluations are conducted in accordance with:
- The Texas Dyslexia Handbook
- The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), when applicable
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, when applicable
- Texas Education Code and State Board of Education rules
Evaluation decisions are made collaboratively with parents and school staff.
Dyslexia Instruction
Students identified with dyslexia receive instruction designed to address their individual learning needs.
Instruction is:
- Explicit
- Systematic
- Cumulative
- Multisensory
- Evidence-based
- Delivered by appropriately trained personnel
Instruction focuses on skills such as:
- Phonological awareness
- Sound-symbol association
- Decoding
- Encoding (spelling)
- Reading fluency
- Reading comprehension
- Written language
Parent Partnership
Parents and guardians are valued partners throughout the dyslexia process. Families are encouraged to:
- Participate in evaluation and instructional planning.
- Communicate with school staff regarding their child’s progress.
- Ask questions regarding screening, evaluation, and services.
- Support reading development at home.
Working together helps ensure students receive the support they need to become successful readers.
Campus Dyslexia Contacts
Each Canutillo ISD campus has a designated Campus Dyslexia Contact who serves as a resource for families and staff regarding dyslexia screening, referrals, evaluations, instructional supports, and available services.
If you have questions regarding dyslexia or believe your child may be demonstrating characteristics of dyslexia, please contact your child’s campus. The campus Dyslexia Contact can provide information regarding the referral process, screening requirements, evaluation procedures, and available instructional supports.
Child Find
Canutillo ISD has an ongoing responsibility to identify, locate, and evaluate students who may have disabilities, including students suspected of having dyslexia.
A referral for evaluation may be initiated at any time when a disability is suspected. Participation in interventions or dyslexia screening does not delay or deny an evaluation under IDEA when warranted.