Dyslexia Advisory Council
During the 2016 Legislation Session, the general assembly passed the Public Chapter 1058 of the Acts of 2016 which requires school districts to screen for characteristics of dyslexia through their existing Response to Instruction and Intervention (RTI²) procedures and to provide “dyslexia-specific tiered interventions” for students that demonstrate a need.
In addition, the legislation requires the department to convene a dyslexia advisory council to provide input and feedback on matters related to dyslexia. The council will meet throughout each school year and will report on their work to increase dyslexia screening and identification. This report will be shared with districts, stakeholders and the general assembly.
Request to Speak
Anyone interested in speaking before the council may do so by emailing Theresa Nicholls at Theresa.Nicholls@tn.gov.
For questions related to the "Say Dyslexia" legislation, please contact the Tennessee Department of Education at SayDyslexia.Questions@tn.gov.
Dyslexia Resource Guide
Public Chapter 1058 of the Acts of 2016 requires the department to develop guidance for identifying characteristics of dyslexia and to provide appropriate professional development resources for educators. The department sought feedback from the Dyslexia Advisory Council and external stakeholders to develop this resource document. The Dyslexia Resource Guide assists districts in their implementation of the requirements established by Public Chapter 1058. In particular, this guide:
- identifies and clarifies the bill requirements
- defines characteristics of dyslexia
- provides applicable resources
Universal Screener Criteria The Criteria for Selecting a Universal Screener in Reading, Mathematics and Writing is designed to help educators evaluate screening tools for RTI².
Date: September 17, 2019
Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. CT
Location: Tennessee School for the Blind
Professional Development Atrium
115 Stewarts Ferry Pike
Nashville, TN 37214
Date: May 21, 2019
Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. CT
Location: Tennessee School for the Blind
Professional Development Atrium
115 Stewarts Ferry Pike
Nashville, TN 37214
Date: February 4, 2019
Time: 10-2 CT
Location: Tennessee School for the Blind
Professional Development Atrium
115 Stewarts Ferry Pike
Nashville, TN 37214
Date: October 22, 2018
Time: 10-2 CT
Location: Tennessee School for the Blind
115 Stewart’s Ferry Pike
Nashville, TN 37214
Date: Monday, June 4, 2018
Time: 10:00-2:00 CT (lunch provided)
Location: Tennessee School for the Blind Professional Development Atrium
115 Stewarts Ferry Pike
Nashville, TN 37214
Date: Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Time: 10:00-2:00 CT (lunch provided)
Location: Tennessee School for the Blind Professional Development Atrium
115 Stewarts Ferry Pike
Nashville, TN 37214
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Penny Schwinn | Commissioner |
| Theresa Nicholls | Assistant Commissioner, Special Populations, TDOE |
| Eileen Miller | Advocate, Decoding Dyslexia |
| Allison McAvoy | Special Education Teacher, Hamilton County |
| Nichi Hickerson | Elementary School Teacher, Bradford Special School District |
| Rita Flood | Middle School Teacher, Bradley County Schools |
| Vacant |
High School Teacher |
| Anna Thorsen | Parent |
| Barbara Adams | Speech Language Pathologist, Williamson County School District |
The council also includes three ex-officio members with expertise in dyslexia: Carmen O’Connor with the International Dyslexia Association; Erin Alexander, a school psychologist and assistant director for clinical services at the Tennessee Center for Dyslexia; and Susan Porter, a district lead coach of instruction with Metro Nashville Public Schools.
5 Questions Parents and Educators Can Ask to Start Conversations
Additional Information for Districts about the Public Chapter 1058
Response to Instruction and Intervention Framework
"Say Dyslexia" Bill (Public Chapter 1058 of the Acts of 2016)
"Say Dyslexia" Law Overview for Districts