August 25, 2017
Media Contacts:
- Brad Waller, Vice President for Communications, communications@capta.org
- Michelle Eklund, Director of Communications and Strategic Initiatives, meklund@capta.org or (916) 440-1985
PTA President Applauds State Schools Chief’s Release of New State Guidelines to Improve Services for Students with Dyslexia
SACRAMENTO – New guidelines were released this week to assist teachers and parents in identifying students with dyslexia and to plan, provide, evaluate and improve education services. Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin and is characterized by difficulties with accurate word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. California State PTA President Dianna MacDonald issued the following statement:
“California State PTA is pleased State Superintendent Torlakson has released groundbreaking guidelines to assist an estimated 20 percent of the general population representing more than 1 million students in California public schools with this challenging learning disability.
I know firsthand how critically important early detection, planning and improving education services is to our students through California. I am dyslexic. I understand the struggles — but also the successes — that can be realized with strong public-school and family support.”
In 2016, California State PTA delegates adopted a comprehensive resolution supporting teacher/staff training necessary to improve the understanding of dyslexia as well as early screening for signs and symptoms of dyslexia in kindergarten through third grade. California State PTA will be sharing these important guidelines with our members statewide.