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Districts can use IDEA funds to pay partial salaries for dyslexia specialists, webinar says
Summary
The Louisiana Department of Education webinar recommended using IDEA funds partially to pay for dyslexia interventionists, master teachers or certified providers, with strong documentation linking time to services for students with disabilities.
Wendy Brooks, a member of the Louisiana Department of Education's teaching and learning literacy team, presented paying partial salaries as a high-leverage use of remaining IDEA funds to build local capacity for dyslexia supports.
"School systems may allocate IDEA funds to pay partial salaries for roles such as dyslexia interventionists, master teachers, or... certified academic language therapists," Brooks said, noting that partial allocations can quickly increase capacity when accompanied by clear documentation of time and effort connected to services for students with disabilities.
She cautioned that districts must document how staff time supports IEP goals or evaluation activities and recommended that districts plan these hires in coordination with finance and special education teams. Brooks encouraged using existing skilled staff — special education teachers, master teachers and reading specialists — as starting points for capacity building.
