Dyslexia Services

Not all children learn to read, write and spell in the same ways. Despite conventional and appropriate classroom instruction, some students continue to struggle. Some of these students may have a reading disability known as dyslexia. Students with dyslexia may need an intervention program in addition to what they are receiving in the regular classroom to help them be successful in school. Anna Independent School District offers dyslexia services on all campuses to all students who meet eligibility criteria. Students with dyslexia will be served by a trained teacher with a program that includes evidence-based components of phonological awareness, sound-symbol association, syllabication, orthography, morphology, syntax, reading comprehension and fluency. Students with dyslexia will also be given appropriate instructional accommodations in order to be successful throughout their academic career.  The Anna Independent School District follows the guidelines set forth by The Dyslexia Handbook, Update 2018 for its local dyslexia program and guidelines.

Dyslexia Intervention Programs

BUILD

Build is a small group intervention that addresses five specific components of reading intervention.  Each component is taught developmentally using a direct, systematic, cumulative, multisensory method of introduction and practice to meet the specific needs of students identified with Dyslexia as a prerequisite to Take Flight. 

Take Flight

Take Flight is an Orton Gillingham based multisensory structured dyslexia curriculum for students identified with dyslexia in grades 2-12.  Intensity (small group size, extended length of sessions and treatment, individualized lessons) is what distinguishes dyslexia intervention from regular reading instruction.  Take Flight was developed by the Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia & Learning Disorders at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital.

Spire

Spire is a multisensory and  intensive reading instruction for nonreaders and struggling readers that involves systematic, sequentially structured 10-step lessons that ensure the mastery of concepts in the five critical areas of reading.  The 10-step process keeps learners actively engaged so that they can learn and retain information. 

Esperanza

The Esperanza program is a Spanish multisensory structured language approach for reading, writing, and spelling.  The goal of the Esperanza program is to provide a multisensory, sequential, systematic approach to achieve Spanish literacy.  Skills development includes phonological awareness, the alphabetic principle, phonics, early writing skills, oral language, vocabulary, and comprehension.  Esperanza is available to students with Spanish as their first language and limited English proficiency.  Students in general education and special education may be served using Esperanza.  It is only available at Sherley Elementary for the 22-23 school year.

Quick Links

• Information Regarding Dyslexia
• Interactive Dyslexia Handbook
• The Dyslexia Handbook 2021 Update: Important Changes for Families to Understand
• El Manual Sobre La Dyslexia
• Actualizacion del Manual Dislexia 2021: Cambios Importantes Que Las Familias Deben Entender

Evaluations for the related disorder of dysgraphia are completed through the special education full individual evaluation process.  

Anna ISD completes a dyslexia screening with all kinder students at the end of the school year and all first grade students at the end of the first semester.  Results of the screening are shared with parents via a letter that is sent home.  If a student is at-risk for dyslexia, then parents are contacted to discuss next steps.