September Newsletter
Dyslexia Student Groups
As the school year starts don't forget to tell your dyslexic students about our student groups. We have the Student Empowerment Panel and the High School Student Dyslexia Council . Our groups work to empower the students and help educate our community. Click the links above or look at our Learner Page here .
Member Spotlight- Kendra Wollert
New to the Willamette Valley is an assistive technology consultant who can help your child become more independent, strengthen their focus areas, and demonstrate to their teachers what they really know. Kendra Wollert, consultant, trainer, and advocate for Assistive Learning
Technology Consulting, is based out of Corvallis, Oregon. She holds a master’s in education, for which her project was to specifically pair dyslexic students with assistive echnology. She has been teaching in Oregon schools for the last six years and knows how to turn a student’s life around with assistive technology. Assistive technology can make learning faster, easier, and provides new information a stickier place to land for easier recall. Not only will she determine the best AT for your child’s unique needs, but she also will train them and their teachers on the technology, and help you advocate at IEP or 504 Plan meetings.
Update on Oregon State Testing
Over the past year, Oregon Department of Education has been reviewing the use of the Smarter Balance test for graduation. After the review process, ODE has decided to continue using the Smarter Balance test. To read an article from the Oregonian about this, click here.
A pproved screening tools for the 2018-19 school year
Senate Bill 1003 requires that beginning in the 2018 -19 school year, districts must screen all kindergarten students (and any first grade student who first enro lls in public school in Oregon for first grade) for risk factors of dyslexia using a screening test identified by the Oregon Department of Education. The FINAL list of approved screening tools for the 2018-19 school year was published in mid-August.
A report describing best practices for screening for risk factors of dyslexia and instructional support is currently being developed and will be posted on the ODE Dyslexia web page on September 14, 2018.
Connecting our members & reaching out to our Community
Is your membership up to date?
Don’t let your yearly IDA membership lapse. Don’t loose important IDA benefits including conference discounts, subscriptions to IDA’s informative publications and support for IDA-Oregon events and activities!

Remember that IDA-Oregon is an all-volunteer organization that needs your dollars and your time and expertise to accomplish the important dyslexia advocacy and education we do for families and schools in Oregon and SW Washington.

Do you know if your IDA membership is up to date?

To find out click here where you will find membership categories and benefits. You can also log directly into your account. Once there you can look at your membership status to see when you are due to renew!
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Upcoming Events
Dyslexia Simulation
26th September
Beaverton, OR

Register here
LIGHT IT UP RED
Decoding Dyslexia
community event
Oct,14th

Get tickets here
IDA National Conference
Connecticut
Oct,24th - 27th, 2018
(Early bird registration ends 7th September)
International Dyslexia Association, Oregon Branch | 503-228-4455 | info@orbida.org | http://or.dyslexiaida.org