WCU hosts Dyslexia Institute | Pets

The following is a press release from William Carey University:

The School of Education at William Carey University, in partnership with the Mississippi Dyslexia Therapy Association, presented a Dyslexia Institute on September 6 on the Hattiesburg campus. The sessions included “Screening Students in Kindergarten and 1st Grade for Dyslexia” and “Dyslexia for Diagnosticians.” The Dyslexia Institute sessions were led by Rep. Larry Byrd, state representative, District 104; Dr. Cena Holifield, founder and executive director of The Dynamic Dyslexia Design School (The 3-D School) in Petal; Elesha McCarty, speech pathologist with Strategies Therapy Group in Hattiesburg; and Dr. Jane Herrin, an educational consultant licensed psychometrist.

Rep. Byrd authored House Bill 1031 and on May 23, Gov. Phil Bryant signed the Bill into law. One of the groundbreaking components of the Mississippi Dyslexia Law states that after July 1, 2012, all students must be screened for dyslexia in the spring of kindergarten and in the fall of first grade.

To assist schools with dyslexia screening, the Mississippi Dyslexia Therapy Association created a dyslexia screener that meets the standard as set by House Bill 1031.  During the institute at WCU, the screener was introduced and teachers were instructed on its administration.  Every teacher was given a screener and an instructional DVD as part of the institute.

PHOTO: The School of Education at William Carey University, in partnership with the Mississippi Dyslexia Therapy Association, presented a Dyslexia Institute on WCU’s campus on September 6. Those who led the sessions were (left to right) Elesha McCarty, speech pathologist with Strategies Therapy Group in Hattiesburg, Representative Larry Byrd, state rep for District 104, Cena Holifield, founder and executive director of The Dynamic Dyslexia Design School (The 3-D School) in Petal, and Dr. Jane Herrin, an educational consultant licensed psychometrist.