Madison Reading Conference: October 12 – 13, 2007

Blowing the Lid Off Reading Achievement: Putting All the Pieces Together [120K PDF Conference Program] [160K PDF Registration Form]
Alliant Energy Center, Exhibition Hall, Madison, WI [Map]
October 12-13, 2007
Conference Program
Friday, October 12, 2007________________________________________________________
9:00-12:00 Keynote Speakers:
Drs. Sally and Bennett Shaywitz, Overcoming Dyslexia
Extraordinary progress in understanding the nature of reading and dyslexia, including their neural underpinnings, have direct implications for the earlier and more accurate identification and more effective treatment of dyslexia. This presentation focuses on these discoveries and their translation into clinical practices for overcoming dyslexia and for appreciating the sea of strengths associated with dyslexia.
12:00-1:30 Luncheon: Entertainment provided by Ervin Allen and the Walbridge Choir
2:45-3:45 Breakout Sessions

  1. Karin Chenowith from the Education Trust answers questions following her keynote address and provides a book signing opportunity.
  2. Fort Atkinson, WI Public School District, Principal of Barrie Elementary, Tony Bolz, and his staff outline their study and implementation of Overcoming Dyslexia and their overall K-12 reading plan.
  3. SRA/McGraw-Hill, Resources For Reaching Students With Disabilities The most proven and popular Direct Instruction Programs presented by professionals in this field.
  4. Project Read presenters share their research-based curriculum and instructional methodology for at-risk students in grades kindergarten through third grade and special education students.
  5. Wisconsin Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (WIBIDA) creates an awareness of what it is like to be dyslexic with simulations and a description of the association’s programs and services.
  6. Madison Reading and Learning Center Director, Janice Schreiber-Poznik, M.S., with staff, parents, and students, describe their remedial and enrichment programs of one-on-one tutoring for children and adults, which includes evidence based instruction, parent participation, and community partnerships.

2 thoughts on “Madison Reading Conference: October 12 – 13, 2007”

  1. When I saw the headline for this, I was genuinely interested — “Blowing the Lid off Reading Achievement.” Instead, the conference (I didn’t attend, but just going off the brief synopsis provided) focused on what seems a somewhat narrow subject area, i.e., reading and dyslexia.
    So, just to provoke a debate, how exactly does the state’s second-largest school district determine how well its students are reading? Particularly those in the earliest grades?

  2. At the K-5 level, the district uses a reading assessment that is delivered 1:1, 3-4 times per school year. Student reads a passage while the teacher takes a running record to assess decoding accuracy, then the student is asked 4-5 questions about the passage. Student’s level is determined by the ability to pass both the decoding and the comprehension portions. In between assessments, teachers often use running records to determine when a student is ready to move to a higher text level. Additionally, teachers eventually see the WKCE scores. These aren’t particularly useful unless they are markedly different than what was expected based on the district assessments.
    At the K-2 level, students are also assessed on their letter letter recognition, sound-symbol knowledge and concepts of print.

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