Upcoming Events and Parent Education
“A parent education consortium on the SF Peninsula. Each year we present a slate of cutting-edge speakers, topics and special events designed to inform, engage and inspire our school communities.”
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Children’s Health Council (CHC) Parent Education Events
Calendar includes classes for parents and educators, parent support groups, continuing education and community events.
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It Takes a Village Upcoming Events
Mill Valley-based organization with regular parent-education speaker series often around topics of learning differences.
San Rafael-based nonprofit that organizes trainings, events and workshops for parents and professionals. Calendar includes dates and registration links for SELPA committee meetings for counties across Northern California.
Marin County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA)
Parent Workshop Calendar includes upcoming events and access to a limited number of past event videos offered through MCOE.
Dedication to Special Education
Marin-based organization run by parents of children with special needs. Calendar includes monthly “Parent Connections” meetings.
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International Dyslexia Association (IDA) Events
Most events are geared toward professionals, but some are open to the community.
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Support for Families of Children with Disabilities and Decoding Dyslexia CA
Families of children with dyslexia support group meets first Mondays 7-8:30 on Zoom.
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UCSF-UC Berkeley Schwab Dyslexia and Cognitive Diversity Center Events
Spring Symposia 2021: From Bench to Policy and Practice provides videos of presentations from this two-day event.
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Speaker series, interactive summits and events created for and by students around topics of mental health.
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On-demand education series with 25 video and audio recordings by a panel of 28 experts in the fields of psychology, education. Current price is $197.
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Parenting in Place Speaker Series
Live masterclass series (with recordings available for a limited time) featuring prominent thought leaders in parenting, neuroscience, education and well-being
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Learning Disability Resources Foundation Action (LDRFA)
Special Education Events and Conferences
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Science of Reading
Literacy is a relatively recent human development, and the scientific study of how we read — and how to effectively teach reading — is even more recent. However, thanks to dedicated researchers, we do have a well-established body of evidence to guide current practices. The following resources give a broad foundation of knowledge for making informed choices and delving into exciting new research. <local link: E4 Recent Research>
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The Science of Reading: a Top-Level Primer
Eight-minute video from Education NC advocating for structured literacy instruction; based primarily on the work of Emily Hanford and Louisa Moats
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Mark Seidenberg: Connecting Science and Education
Questions the science of reading seeks to answer; reliable resources, including books, audio documentaries, articles and websites.
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EAB: Embracing the Science of Reading Web Conference
Free on-demand 55-minute webinar created to explain the science of reading and reading instruction to educational administrators, but excellent for all audiences; jam-packed with clear, accessible information.
Includes a 34-page PDF handout of notes.
E3 Embracing the science of reading
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EAB: How Our Brains Learn to Read
PDF infographic from EAB (formerly Education Advisory Board) illustrating areas of the brain and corresponding roles required for skilled reading.
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National Reading Panel: Five Pillars of Early Literacy
Simple, clear infographic showing five key concepts at the core of effective reading programs.
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International Dyslexia Association: Scarborough’s Reading Rope
Link to page explaining the classic infographic illustrating “the many strands that are woven into skilled reading”
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Emily Hanford created a series of podcasts for American Public Media on the science of reading, which explores why ineffective reading instruction is still all too common, and the impact on individuals, families, teachers, schools, districts and society. Excellent reporting in an engaging format. Each episode is about 50 minutes.
APM Reports: Hard words — why aren’t kids being taught to read?
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APM Reports: Hard to read — how American schools fail kids with dyslexia
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APM Reports: At a loss for words — how a flawed idea is teaching millions of kids to be poor readers
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PDF article by Virginia Wise Berninger, professor and researcher in educational psychology. Reprinted from 2012 journal of National Association of Elementary School Principals.
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International Dyslexia Association: Why bother with cursive?
PDF of 2012 Examiner article by Dr. Diana Hanbury King that outlines arguments for teaching cursive writing, along with practical advice for how to teach it.
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Recent Research for a Deeper Dive into Dyslexia
Research into dyslexia has exploded in the past decade. Many educational institutions host dedicated dyslexia centers, with Yale and UCSF often at the forefront of cutting-edge research. Collaboration between professionals from a wide variety of disciplines such as neuroscience, education, music and psychology is another exciting new trend.
Provides links to open access research papers studying dyslexia, ordered chronologically from date of publication.
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Summaries of articles explaining the latest research in brain science, written for a lay audience.
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Short summaries, key take-aways and common misunderstandings about recent research articles on topics including dyslexia, ADHD, dyscalculia and other learning disabilities.
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Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity Research
Abstracts of current and past research papers, with free access to published full journal articles
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Overview of current research projects; citation list of selected publications with links to full articles
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UCSF Dyslexia Center Phenotyping Project
12-minute YouTube video describing their cross-disciplinary, collaborative model of research, diagnosis and treatment.
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Article of the month with discussion group
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The Reading Brain: Executive Function Hard at Work (Learning Disabilities Association of America)
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Fast Forward by Carnegie Learning: 2020 Dyslexia Research Update
Lay summary of three research articles published in 2020 on inheritability, neural differences, and areas of strength in children with dyslexia. One-hour webinar available with registration. Note: this company has a vested interest in research that supports software they sell.
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Advocacy and Educational Initiatives
A grass-roots movement composed of parents, educators and professionals which strives to raise awareness around dyslexia. DDCA continues to be a driving force in passing legislation that supports all learners.
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DDCA: Sign the Petition for Universal Screening Bill SB237
This bill would require annual K-2 screenings for dyslexia; adopt an approved list of appropriate screening tools; provide screening results and dyslexia guidelines to guardians and teachers; and allow parents to “opt out” of universal screening.
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National Council on Teacher Quality: The four pillars to reading success: an action guide for states
PDF pamphlet presenting arguments for states to follow the research on the most effective and efficient methods of reading instruction.
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KQED: How parents can help dyslexic children get needed support
Article from the MindShift series with resources on dyslexia laws by state and the crucial role of parents as advocates.
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Dyslegia: A legislative information site
Resources on dyslexia laws and pending legislation for all 50 states, evidence-based information, and additional resources.
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International Literacy Association (ILA)
“A professional organization connecting research and practice to continuously improve the quality of literacy instruction across the globe.” ILA hosts frequent digital events, webinars and intensives on topics of literacy education. Many past events are free and available through their site, Youtube, or Facebook page.
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Free on-demand webinar with registration
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APM Reports: At a loss for words: how a flawed idea is teaching millions of kids to be poor readers
Engaging, 50-minute podcast reported by Emily Hanford in 2019
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APM Reports: Hard words: why aren’t kids being taught to read?
Engaging, 50-minute podcast reported by Emily Hanford in 2018
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Support for Families
Support for Families of Children with Disabilities
is a San Francisco-based organization that offers information, education, and parent-to-parent support to families of children with disabilities. Families of children with dyslexia support group meets first Mondays 7-8:30 on Zoom.
Dedication to Special Education (DSE)
Marin-based organization run by a volunteer executive board of parents of children with special needs. Working with the MCOE, DSE works to improve the quality of special education in Marin public schools through a grants program and support of district-wide initiatives. They connect families through parent-run discussion forums and an online community.
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Technology Resource Center Marin
Created by DSE to inform, evaluate, provide, and maintain appropriate Assistive Technology and Augmentative Alternative Communication (AT/AAC) tools, services, and opportunities for all students and their families in Marin County.
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San Rafael-based organization offering “help and hope from parents for parents [of children with special needs]” throughout California by connecting families with parent advisors and mentors; organizing activities, events and trainings; and providing high-quality resources.
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Promotes the academic success of all students in Mill Valley schools who learn differently through parent education and advocacy. A support group, First Friday Connect Series, meets 9-10:30 October-June, currently on Zoom.
Children’s Health Council (CHC) Parent Support Groups
“CHC specializes in working with families living with ADHD, Learning Differences, Anxiety & Depression and Autism through our two schools, mental health clinic, community education and curated online resource library.” Check website for support group schedule updates.
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Parent’s Education Group of Marin (PEG)
collaborates with public and independent K-12 schools to promote parent education events. Members are involved with parent education programs at a K-12 school; affiliate organizations are vetted by PEG and offer programs to the community.
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