Dyslexia

Did you know that 1 in 5 people have some form of dyslexia?  That means in the average size classroom there are 4 students that are struggling.

I was recently watching the Today show and Henry Winkler was on talking about his new books.  I was amazed to find out that he has dyslexia and he wrote these books about a boy named Hank Zipzer who has dyslexia.  He even wrote the books using a font called dyslexie which is a heavier font which keeps the words on the page and more spacing between letters. 

Dyslexia isn't just mixing letters around.  Dyslexia has a spectrum, similar to autism.  Some kids have a mild form, others have a more severe form.

I am just learning about this.  My good friend listened to me talk about my daughter and she suggested I read a few websites and I was amazed at all the warning signs my daughter showed but the school never picked up on. Why? Because teachers aren't trained to look for the warning signs.  It is not their fault either, the training isn't even offered. So sad.

Here are some sites to take a look at:
Bright Solutions
Dyslexia Training Institute
Special Education Advisor

Interested in the Hank Zipzer books? Check them out here. 

What this blog is about.

My name is Jennifer and I am a parent. I support our teachers and I am against high stakes testing.

That was pretty easy to say.

So what will I be talking about here?

First off, this is MY blog.  These are my opinions and views. I do not speak for any other person or organization.  With that being said...

I have three children in Knox County Schools and I am concerned with where our schools are heading.  My daughter has not been officially diagnosed with dyslexia, yet, but she has been diagnosed with a learning disability in reading but not severe enough to get her any help within the schools. Huh.  I do have documentation of proof that the administration and the schools are not on the same page.  One says she should be getting help, the other says no.  I'm sorry, she is getting help she is in Voyager, a reading program that has no proof of helping children before KCS started using it.

I live in district 6 and I am VERY concerned about our school board race.  In full disclosure I not only support Brad Buchanan but I am working to get him elected.  Amber Rountree in district 9 and Sally Absher in district 4 are two other candidates that I fully support.

I am against all the high stakes testing we are putting our children through, especially in grades k-2.  I will be commenting on this topic often.

I am an administrator with SPEAK on facebook.  I feel very passionate about what we are doing at SPEAK and I think every parent with children should be a member. ;) We also have a twitter account  SPEAKTN

I have spoken at a few school board meetings and I will be posting my speeches at any future meetings that I speak at.

I am not a writer, and I don't even pretend to be. I am just a concerned parent trying to do what is best for my children and the children of Knox County.

Join me in supporting our teachers and protecting our students.