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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Anyone know how long ago MCPS has ditched the phonics?  I recall when my son was in K, the teachers essentially told me I wasted my time when I taught him phonics in preschool.  They told me that all kids eventually catch up with each other.  They just seemed unimpressed and not thrilled about his reading level.  They did have the break up the kids into different groups anyway, so I didn't see the issue, but they were clearly rolling their eyes when I shared how I prepared him.  Pretty sure phonics was not being taught at the time.  This was about 15 years ago.[/quote]

As a parent of two children with disabilities, MCPS did not have a reading program to meet their needs. We were told with my oldest to not worry about her not meeting standards and not being on grade level that all students catch up by third grade. For students like my child (and about 25% of students) that wasn’t the case. In third grade, the elementary school acknowledged my child couldn’t read on grade level but they didn’t have a program for her.

I learned at that point to no longer trust MCPS. They were passing a child from grade to grade who could not read. I got my daughter privately tested and then my son when he showed the same difficulties. I hired a reading tutor who was an expert in Lindamood Bell. Within a year of services multiple times per week, my children learn skills to compensate for their disabilities that impacted reading.

MCPS views the bottom 25% of students as disposable. They have never had reading programs that will address every child’s needs even though there are many evidence based programs available. [/quote]

Can you share information about where you found the tutor?

I’m concerned that my K kid still cannot read and she will be heading to first grade. We have voiced our concerns multiple times but the teacher assured us that she’s meeting expectations. [/quote]

Same with my K kid.  I think what concerns me the most is that they seem frustrated and don’t want to try to read even simple readers (like the first Bob books set). But when I broach to the teacher she assure me he is meeting expectations (all Ps) and not to worry.[/quote]

You are correct to be concerned. My DD also refused to read Bob Books at home to us in K and was diagnosed with dyslexia in 2nd grade.

https://dyslexia.yale.edu/dyslexia/signs-of-dyslexia/#part-kindergarten-first-grade

Unfortunately teachers aren’t trained to recognize the signs.[/quote]

This isn’t the whole problem.  Diagnosing kids with dyslexia in K and 1st can be very tricky because many of the signs also are things exhibited by kids just learning to read who don’t necessarily just get it at first but them do later.  This is why explicit phonetic and multi sensory reading instruction is recommended because it can work for more students including many with reading disabilities and it will still show those learners that are picking things up more slowly and thus might need intervention and additional supports.[/quote]

Is mixing up lowercase b and d a sign of dyslexia or typical for kindergarteners?[/quote]

It is normal through 2nd grade. I teach KG and I'd say a good 1/3 of my students mix them up despite explicit instruction.[/quote]

Our DC's doctor said it's normal through 2nd grade as well. She's now in 2nd grade and may occasionally confuse b/d but doesn't have dyslexia. What helped was a printout I found: b=belly, d=diaper. And there are silly stick-person drawings to contrast the two letters. Every time she'd confuse the two, I'd bring out the drawings and she'd get it, until next time.[/quote]

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