Dyslexia Intervention ProgramProfessional Learning Community

2013-14 School Year Klein ISD

Abstract
Purpose of this Project: To create a Professional Learning Community to support teachers who have been trained to provide dyslexia intervention in Klein ISD.

Evidence of Need
Teachers and Reading Specialists that are trained in the Dyslexia Intervention Program from the Region IV Educational Service Center receive a one week course in Klein ISD. Over the past several years, there have been many requests for some type of follow up course. Teachers felt after using the program for a period of time that a refresher would be beneficial to the fidelity of the program delivery.

Summary of Implementation
Who?
What? When? How?

Teachers teaching the Dyslexia Intervention Program in Klein ISD

Professional Learning Community meetings Three times throughout the school year (November, February, April) Using input from teachers, topics will be prepared and presented

Strategies for Implementation

1.

Three district-level Professional Learning Community (PLC) meetings were planned:

November 14, 2013 February 13, 2014 April 10, 2014

The Klein Instructional Center facility was reserved for the dates. 3. The courses were entered into Eduphoria for teacher registration. 4. Information about the PLC meetings was distributed to Reading Specialists to disseminate to campuses.
2.

Strategies for Implementation (continued)

Reading Specialists with Dyslexia expertise were invited to guide the committee and present sections of the meetings. 6. Teachers registered for the course were polled prior to the first meeting to ascertain areas of interest and need. 7. A planning session was held to divide responsibilities and plan the agenda. 8. Following each meeting, participants filled out an exit ticket. The information from these tickets was used to plan the next PLC meeting.
5.

Course Description Listed in Eduphoria

Sample Agenda

Sample Exit Ticket

Topics Covered at PLCs

Phonemic Awareness Discovering Words Jazzing Up a Lesson Video Analysis of lessons

Organizational Tips
Phonetic Screeners and Their Use Time Management

Ways to Improve Comprehension

Evaluation
In creating these meetings and coordinating their

implementation, two of the principal competencies were addressed:

Competency 001

Competency 005

Competency 001
The principal knows how to shape campus culture by facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the school community. The principal knows how to implement strategies to ensure the development of collegial relationships and effective collaboration.

Rationale: When charged with the creation and implementation of these meetings, I began by creating a group of colleagues, sharing the task, and working collaboratively to determine our vision. Moving forward, the presenters for the meeting, the Reading Specialists who would provide the encouragement to interested teachers to attend, and myself worked together to create a community of trust, collaboration, and education. By involving and respecting the input of all involved, including the participants, these meetings became highly effective and achieved their purpose.

Competency 005
The principal knows how to advocate, nurture, and sustain an instructional program and a campus culture that are conducive to students learning and staff professional growth. The principal knows how to ensure that all students are provided high-quality, flexible instructional programs with appropriate resources and services to meet individual student needs.

Rationale: By continuing to ask for feedback from participants and presenters of the PLC meetings, and by using feedback to plan future sessions, all stakeholders felt validated. Through these meetings, teachers grew professionally in their knowledge of appropriate interventions for dyslexic students. The students identified with dyslexia also benefitted from these meetings in that their individual needs were being met.

Future
Because of the tremendous success of the Professional

Learning Communities for our Dyslexia Trained Teachers, plans have already been made for continuing these meetings next year. Dates have been set and rooms reserved. Calendar appointments for planning meetings and PLC meetings have been sent and accepted. Attendance is expected to rise, as it steadily increased this year.