The Montana Dyslexia Screening and Intervention Act passed the Montana Legislature during its 2019 session  (§20-7-469, MCA, the Montana Dyslexia Screening and Intervention Act).  The tabs below will provide parents, students, administrators and educators the opportunity to learn what dyslexia is, what it is not, and find important resources on screeners and classroom instruction. 

ReThink Dylexia_horizontal full color



Montana Experts

The following individuals are experts who are available for consultation or can provide professional development.

Dr. Craig Buscher, University of Montana - Missoula

Dr. Jeffrey Conger, Montana State University - Bozeman

Dr. Sarah Pennington, Montana State University - Bozeman

Dr. Danielle Thompson, Transformative Reading Teacher Group

Dr. Julie Wolter, University of Montana - Missoula

Parents

Instructional Resources

Students

Rethink Dyslexia Montana logoStudents!  We hope that these resources will help you find supports and encouragement as you learn more about dyslexia and the strategies you can use to find success.

The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity

International Dyslexia Association

 

Educators 

Frequently Asked Questions

Montana Dyslexia Screening and Intervention Act FAQs 2019

When does this bill take effect? July 2019. It is already in effect for all schools in Montana. 

Is screening for dyslexia the same as diagnosing? No! Screening for dyslexia simply provides specific information on a student’s phonemic awareness and can help to pinpoint areas of struggle with reading, in order for the general education teacher to provide specific instructional support. 

What do I do if the screener indicates an area, or areas, of concern? If the screener indicates an area of concern, the teacher will provide specific instruction in the areas indicated. If progress monitoring indicates no further growth, or continued concern, then the records should be brought to the student support services staff for further review. 

What screener should we use in our school? While the law requires schools to screen students, it does not require a particular screener. What screener a school uses will depend on the school. The Office of Public Instruction has prepared resources and a Teacher Learning Hub course to help educators, administrators, and leadership teams understand what constitutes a screener for dyslexia, and how to select a screener to best fit their students’ needs.  

Do we need to screen students in upper grades or even high school? Yes. You do need to screen students in upper grades and high school. While many screeners are designed for students in the primary grades, you can find screeners that are appropriate for middle or high school students. David Kilpatrick has developed the PAST 2016, which is widely available. His book, Essentials of Assessing, Preventing, and Overcoming Reading Difficulties has this screener available as well as other helpful information. In addition, some intervention programs that schools already use may have some screeners included. 

Where do I find resources? The OPI website has helpful resources, as well as a Teacher Learning Hub course. 

Screening Resources

Dyslexia Screening Resources

Some resources on this list provide evidence-based dyslexia screening tools which show reliability and validity for specific grade levels. The OPI is not providing screeners or endorsing this list, and screener decisions will be up to local districts. While this list is not all-inclusive, it provides research background for the screeners in order for districts to make informed decisions.

Digital Downloads

Download these print-ready resources to share with parents, students, and community members.  Help build awareness of the benefits of early screening.

Postcards

Posters

Infographic

Graphics

These are suitable for websites or publications.

Social Media Images

Hub Courses

Introduction to Dyslexia

 

This Hub course provides information about the Montana Dyslexia Screening and Intervention Act (§ 20-7-469, MCA) and the responsibilities of districts, schools, and the Office of Public Instruction. In addition, it provides valuable resources for educators to understand the dyslexia screening process and select an appropriate screener for their school setting. 1 renewal unit

 

Books

Basic Facts About Dyslexia & Other Reading Problems

Authors: Louisa C. Moats & Karen E. Dakin

Publisher: International Dyslexia Association

Publication date: 2008

ISBN-13:9780892140640


 

Beginning to Read: Thinking and Learning about Print

Author: Marilyn Jager Adams

Publisher: MIT Press

Publication date: 1994

ISBN-13: 978-0262510769


 

The Dyslexic Advantage: Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexic Brain

Author:  Brock Eide and Fernette Eide

Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group

Publication date: 2012

ISBN-13:9780452297920


 

Multisensory Teaching of Basic Language Skills

Author: Judith Birsh & Suzanne Carreker

Publisher: Brookes Publishing

Publication date: 2018

ISBN-13: 9781681252261


 

Not Stupid, Not Lazy Understanding Dyslexia and Other Learning Disabilities

Author: Linda Siegel

Publisher: International Dyslexia Association

Publication date: 2016

ISBN-13: 978-0892140695


 

Reading Development and Difficulties

Author: Kate Cain

Publisher: Wiley

Publication date: 2010

ISBN-13: 9781405151559


 

Speech to Print:  Language Essentials for Teachers

Author:  L.C. Moats

Publisher: Brookes Publishing

Publication date: 2010

ISBN-13: 978-1598570502

(new 3rd edition coming out soon, 2019)


 

Unlocking Literacy: Effective Decoding and Encoding Instruction

Author: Marcia Henry

Publisher: Brookes Publishing

Publication date: 2010

ISBN-13: 9781598570748


 

Dyslexia: Myths, Misconceptions, and Some Practical Applications 

Author: Malatesha Joshi

Publisher: The International Dyslexia Association

Publication date: 2014


 

Overcoming Dyslexia 

Author: Sally Shaywitz

Publisher: Vintage

Publication date: 2005

ISBN 13: 9780679781592