AZ Understanding Dyslexia Part B K-5 Literacy Endorsement

Meets the Part B of K-5 Literacy Endorsement requirement. For AZ educators only!

Welcome and thank you for your interest in this online course! Please note that this version of the "Understanding Dyslexia" course is customized to meet the requirements of the Arizona Department of Education's Part B K-5 Literacy Endorsement.

This course (6 hours) combined with the AZ Keys to Beginning Reading Part B K-5 Literacy Endorsement course (39 hours) meets the 45-hour Part B requirement.

In order to receive a Certificate of Completion that can be used as proof that you completed the requirements for Part B:

  • You must complete both courses.
  • Once you complete both courses, contact Keys to Literacy to let us know you would like a certificate of completion to use towards Part B of the K-5 Literacy Endorsement requirement. Contact details: [email protected] Phone: 978-948-8511
  • We will check to be sure you completed all pages of both courses and then send you a certificate.

Please note that Keys to Literacy does not offer an asynchronous option for Part A of the AZ K-5 Literacy Endorsement requirement. You will need to find another vendor to take a course that meets Part A requirements. Click here to see the vendor list.

Below you will find information about the course, including a course syllabus and answers to frequently asked questions. We estimate that this course will take approximately 6 hours to complete.

Enjoy the course! Joan Sedita, Founder of Keys to Literacy

Description

There are many reasons why students struggle with reading and writing skills. For 10-15% of students the cause is dyslexia, a neurobiological learning disability that is characterized by difficulty with accurate or fluent word recognition and poor spelling. This course provides the background knowledge about dyslexia that all educators need in order to understand why students with dyslexia struggle with reading and how to support them.

This course is appropriate for all elementary educators, secondary educators who work with older students who still have difficulty with foundational skills, and parents who would like to know more about research-based, effective reading instruction for students with dyslexia.

In this course you will learn

  • the definition of dyslexia and how it relates to other specific learning disabilities
  • how the brain learns to read
  • the five components of reading and how dyslexia affects the ability to learn reading skills
  • recommendations for early screening for dyslexia
  • the importance of a structured literacy approach to teaching students with dyslexia
  • research-based suggestions for using a structured and explicit approach to teach foundational skills including sounds, sound-symbol correspondences, syllables, and morphemes

Asynchronous

The course is asynchronous, which means you can log on and off multiple times to complete the course assignments at your own pace. If you are taking the FACILITATED version of this course, you will participate in a one-hour virtual session with a Keys to Literacy trainer mid-way through the course, and another at the end of the course.

Partner with Other Educators

This course has been designed to be used by individual educators to increase their understanding of dyslexia. However, it can also be used within peer learning communities or by an entire staff to provide a shared professional development experience. The course includes activities that can be completed and shared among peers taking the course at the same time.

About Keys to Literacy

Keys to Literacy is a professional development and consulting company specializing in literacy instruction. Our training programs are built upon the most current literacy research and best instructional practices that are tightly aligned with Common Core and other state standards. Our instructional practices are relevant for general educators as Tier I core instruction for all students, and to special educators as Tier II or Tier III support instruction.Click here to visit the Keys to Literacy website to learn more about our work.


Your Instructor


Joan Sedita
Joan Sedita
The course developer is Joan Sedita, founder of Keys to Literacy and author of the Keys to Literacy professional development programs. Keys to Literacy is based in Massachusetts, and provides literacy professional development to schools across the United States. For over 40 years, Joan has been an experienced educator and nationally recognized teacher trainer. She has authored multiple literacy professional development programs, including The Key Comprehension Routine, The Key Vocabulary Routine, Keys to Beginning Reading, Keys to Content Writing, Keys to Early Writing, and Keys to Close Reading. Beginning in 1975, she worked for 23 years at the Landmark School, a pioneer in the development of literacy intervention programs. As a teacher, principal, and director of the Outreach Teacher Training Program at Landmark, Joan developed expertise, methods, and instructional programs that address the literacy needs of students in grades K-12. Joan was one of the three lead trainers in MA for the Reading First Program and was a LETRS author and trainer. She received her M.Ed. in Reading from Harvard University and her B.A. from Boston College.


Course Curriculum


  About This Course
Available in days
days after you enroll

Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course is available to start as soon as you enroll and can be taken at your own pace. We suggest trying to have it done within 3 weeks. You will have access to the course for at least one year from the date of your enrollment.
What type of payment is accepted for this course?
Credit Card or PayPal: Register here and pay for the course using a credit card or PayPal. You will be given the option when you get to the payment step of the enrollment process. Our online system will send an email receipt after you place your order. To purchase this course using a personal check or Purchase Order (PO) from a school or organization, register at the Keys to Literacy website store: https://keystoliteracy.com/store/ where you can order online or download an online course order form. As soon as we receive your order we will process your registration and give you access to the online course. Please contact us if you have questions: [email protected]
What type of equipment will I need to complete the course?
You will need a computer or tablet with the latest browser. You will also need a valid and working email address. Also, there are a number of documents that you can download and save. These downloads will be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.
Will I receive a grade for this course?
No grades will be awarded for this course.
Can this course be used towards professional development points?
Depending on your situation, this course can be used for PD points. We highly recommend that you use the information we provide on the course information page to gain prior approval from your principal or professional development coordinator before you start the course to be sure it will count towards your PD points. You will be able to download a Certificate of Completion at the end of the course.
How do I get help?
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us via email: [email protected]
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.

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