Dyslexia Guidelines April 2021

The Maynard Public School staff conducts screening for students entering Kindergarten to identify those who may have difficulty making effective progress in the educational environment. In addition, Maynard Public School staff will assess the level of English proficiency of students upon enrollment where English is not the primary language of the home.

603 CMR 28:03 (d) Each school district shall conduct screening for three and four year old's and for all children who are of age to enter kindergarten. Such screening shall be designed to review a child's development and to assist in identification of those children who should be referred for an evaluation to determine eligibility for special education services.

1.The school district shall submit information to the Department describing the screening program and its elements as part of the local special education plan, when so requested.

2.Participation in the screening program for three and four year old's shall be optional on the part of the parents.

MGL c.71 Section 57A. The department of elementary and secondary education, in consultation with the department of early education and care, shall, subject to appropriation, issue guidelines to assist districts in developing screening procedures or protocols for students that demonstrate 1 or more potential indicators of a neurological learning disability including, but not limited to, dyslexia.

603 CMR 14.02: Identification and Assessment of Students

(1)Each school district shall establish procedures, in accordance with Department guidelines, to identify those students who may be English learners and assess their level of English proficiency upon their enrollment in the school district.

(2)The parent or guardian of any student enrolled in the school district may request that the school district assess the child's level of English proficiency.

(3)The school district shall notify the parent or guardian and place in the student's school record the following information:

(a) the school district's determination as to whether the student is an English learner; and

(b) the student's program placement.

(4) Each school district shall establish criteria, in accordance with Department guidelines, to identify students who may no longer be English learners.

Screening is a process for evaluating the possible presence of a particular problem. The outcome is normally a simple yes or no. Assessment is a process for defining the nature of that problem, determining a diagnosis, and developing specific treatment recommendations for addressing the problem or diagnosis.