In the Spring of 2018, IC 20-35.5, et seq., as created by SEA 217 (2018) was created to ensure that Indiana school corporations and charter schools create a plan on how to screen and intervene with students who exhibit risk factors for the characteristics of dyslexia. 

This process, which went into place for the 2019-2020 school year and remains in place, requires that all students in kindergarten, first, and second grade participate in a universal screener. If the student is determined to be at risk or at some risk for the risk factors associated with dyslexia, the school will then administer an additional level 1 screener. This screener does require parental permission. The school will use the results of these screeners to create a specific intervention plan to address the areas of struggle for students.

It is important to note that children identified as needing additional screeners do not qualify for special education nor will they be tested based on the results of this screener alone. These interventions are designed to boost the foundational skills needed to be a successful reader.

 Dyslexia as defined by IC 20-18-2-3.5 is a specific learning disability that:

(1) is neurological in origin and characterized by:

(A) difficulties with accurate or fluent word recognition; and

(B) poor spelling and decoding abilities;

(2) typically results from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction;

(3) may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge; and

(4) may require the provision of special education services after an eligibility determination is made in accordance with 511 IAC 7-40.

In accordance with IC-20-35.5-6-2, Greenfield-Central Community School Corporation now has an authorized reading specialist trained in dyslexia. Joe Risch is Greenfield-Central’s Dyslexia Specialist.

In accordance with the law, each school corporation and charter school shall report on the school corporation or charter school’s website the following information:

What intervention programs are used to assist students with characteristics of dyslexia?

Dyslexia intervention programs must have explicit direction and instruction that is systematic, sequential, and cumulative. Instruction that follows a logical plan of presenting the alphabetic principle that targets the specific needs of the student without presuming prior skills or knowledge of the student. It must use meaning based instruction that is directed at purposeful reading and writing. Instruction that incorporates the simultaneous use of two (2) or more sensory pathways during the presentation of instruction and student practice. It is also important to keep in mind that the dyslexia program should be research based and be offered in a setting that also teaches the five (5) components of literacy.

Currently GCSC’s current intervention is Orton-Gillingham 

During the 2022-2023 school year all students in kindergarten, first, and second grade receive 90 minutes of evidence based grade level instruction based on Indiana academic standards. Additionally, 50 students received an additional 150 minutes of instruction each week to address gaps in reading skills. These services are provided by licensed teachers and interventionists in a staff to student ratio of no more than 1:5. 

How many students received dyslexia interventions during the 2022-2023 school year?

In the 2022-2023 school year,GCSC had 50 students working in small groups with Reading Specialists, interventionist or a certified teacher, for an intense focus on phonological awareness and phonics through Orton Gillingham

How many students were identified with dyslexia during the 2022-2023 school year?

School systems will not be diagnosing dyslexia, but will focus on finding and supporting students with characteristics of dyslexia. As such, 0 students were diagnosed with dyslexia. See above to find the number of students who received an intervention after being identified with characteristics consistent with dyslexia. Required screeners, teacher training, and intervention programs will continue to maximize learning in Greenfield schools.

During the 2022-2023 school year 1170 students across K-12th grade were administered the Universal Screener DIBELS, and 146 students were administered the Level 1 diagnostic screener MA Rooney Quick Phonics Screener, DIBELS LNF, RAN, ORF, Decoding Survey, Spelling, and auditory drill. 

Please contact Joe Risch at [email protected] with any questions you may have.

Click here to visit the ​IDOE website for more information on the Indiana dyslexia law.