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Alabama Reading Initiative names Science of Reading spotlight schools; highlights dyslexia screening and CALT training
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Summary
The Alabama Reading Initiative announced spotlight schools and described statewide dyslexia screening and intervention steps under the Alabama Literacy Act, including use of certified academic language therapists (CALTs).
The Alabama Reading Initiative on Thursday announced a slate of “Science of Reading Spotlight Schools” and reiterated state steps to screen for dyslexia and provide targeted intervention under the Alabama Literacy Act of 2019.
The announcement listed selected spotlight schools across multiple districts and described the initiative’s aim “of ensuring all students can read by the end of third grade,” an initiative presenter said during the work session.
The department presentation explained that kindergarten through third-grade students are now screened for reading deficits and receive targeted interventions. If a student does not respond to targeted, systematic instruction, screening for dyslexia follows and is conducted using assessments in the state dyslexia resource guide, the presenter said.
The presentation noted national prevalence estimates and state figures: citing the International Dyslexia Association, the presenter said “up to 20 percent of any given population have some symptoms of dyslexia,” and estimated that would represent roughly 148,000 Alabama public school students. The department said screening, diagnostic, prescriptive and multisensory interventions are the recommended pathway and that certified academic language therapists (CALTs) provide dyslexia-specific instruction and participate on problem-solving teams.
Bridal Lynn Hulsey, identified in the presentation as a reading specialist at Valley Junior High School, described district-level partnerships with a CALT. “We’re very blessed in Walker County to have Meredith Harris as our dyslexia specialist,” Hulsey said. “Since she’s CALT trained, she is very integral in working with our students after we have assessed which students are in need of dyslexia intervention. She comes in and works with our students several days a week.”
The presentation said approximately 80 CALTs are currently serving in Alabama public schools and that certification requires an approved multisensory structured language education program, more than 200 hours of coursework and 700 clinical teaching hours before candidates may sit for the Academic Language Therapy Association exam. The department said it hopes to grow the number of trained interventionists.
The initiative also noted the Alabama Dyslexia Advisory Council, the Literacy Task Force and the International Dyslexia Association of Alabama as partners in implementing the Alabama Literacy Act directives. The department invited educators to contact regional ARI specialists for additional information on visiting spotlight schools and implementation supports.
Board members and public commenters offered brief personal testimony about local effects. Two public commenters who identified themselves as grandmothers described improved outcomes for their grandchildren after local interventions were applied; one said a second-grade ACAP score rose from the low 20s to the upper 90s after school-based interventions were added.
The department encouraged districts to use the dyslexia resource guide and to consider CALT-based interventions for students who do not respond to targeted instruction.
