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Tuesday, June 23rd

What is the latest research on dyslexia? 
What does it mean for independent schools?

8:30-9:00 Continental Breakfast, Registration

9:00-9:15 Welcome, Introductory Remarks

9:15-10:30 Keynote Address,  Part I. 
• Sally E. Shaywitz, MD, Audrey G. Ratner, Professor in Learning Development; and • Bennett A. Shaywitz, MD, Charles and Helen Schwab Professor in Dyslexia and Learning Development: Co-Directors, Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity.

•What is dyslexia?

•What does cutting-edge research tell us about dyslexia?

•How does the dyslexic brain read?

•What have we learned about dyslexia?

•What are some of the myths about dyslexia?

10:30-10:45 Break

10:45-12:15 Choice of one of two sessions:

Session A
Panel Discussion: What are the policy and curriculum issues related to dyslexia and dyslexic students that schools need to consider?

Moderator: Muir Meredith, Headmaster, Westmark School, CA 

Participants:
• Daniel B. Frank, Principal, Francis W. Parker School, IL
• Ann V. Klotz, Head of School,  Laurel School, OH
• Kyle Redford, 5th grade teacher, Marin Country Day School, CA, and YCDC Board member

Session B
What are the clues for dyslexia, and how should teachers respond? Research-based teaching methods for struggling readers and writers.

Presenter: Suzanne Carreker, Certified Academic Language Therapist and Qualified Instructor, Vice President of Program Development, Neuhaus Education Center, Houston, TX  

Facilitator:  Judith Birsh, Certified Academic Language Therapist, NYC

12:15-1:00 Lunch

1:15-2:15 Keynote Address, Part II.  Dr. Sally Shaywitz

• How do you translate dyslexia research into practice?
• How do you use the new scientific knowledge to better diagnose, instruct and accommodate children who are dyslexia?

2:15-2:30 Break

2:30-3:30 Part A.  Repeated Sessions: What are schools doing to provide accommodations and services for dyslexic students? 

Choice of one of four sessions:

1) Grades K- 4:  Marin Country Day – a school-wide look at curriculum

Presenter: Barbara Kraemer-Cook, Lower School Head, Marin Country Day School, CA

Facilitator: Claire Wurtzel, Director of Professional Development, The Churchill School and Center, NYC

2) Grades K-4:  Georgetown Day School –early assessment and effective learning support program

Presenter:  Karin van der Cammen, Lower School Learning Specialist, Georgetown Day School, DC

Facilitator: Judy Cuthbertson, Coordinator, Seedlings Teacher Collaborative, CT

3) Grades 5-8:  Francis W. Parker School–Middle School accommodations, including Kurzweil technology demonstration

Presenters:
• Karen Witkin Swidler, Upper School Learning Resource Teacher and "Mind and Brain" co-teacher, Francis W. Parker School, IL                   
• Allison Kimball, Chair of the Learning Resource Department, Francis W. Parker School, IL

Facilitator:  Francee Sugar, Director of Learning Support Services / SSD Coordinator, Dalton School, NY      

4) Grades K-8: Through the Looking Glass—two author and former teachers share the learning struggles of their characters and describe how they tap children’s creativity.

Presenters:
• Helen Lester, author of many illustrated children’s books, such as Tacky the Penguin and Author: A True Story, her personal story, Pawling, NY;
• Judy Spurr, author of Trapped, a novel about a student with learning disabilities, Marblehead, MA

3:30-3:45 Break                                                  

3:45- 4:45 Part B. Repeated Sessions: What are schools doing for dyslexic students?

Choice of second session from list above.

5:00-6:00 Reception & Book Signing by authors

Attendees will receive complementary copies of the authors’ books and have the opportunity to talk with the authors and other conference presenters.

6:30-8:00 Dinner and film

Premiere of the Center’s new documentary film by the producers of ET and Benjamin Button.                                   
(Second showing on Wednesday, June 24 at 4:30pm)

Wednesday, June 24th
What can we learn from successful dyslexic students?   What are the next steps for schools?

8:30 Continental Breakfast

9:00-9:15 Welcome, introductory remarks–Barbara Pearce, YCDC Board

9:15-10:15 Keynote Address. William Hiss, Vice President for External Affairs and Lecturer in Asian Studies, Bates College, ME.

• What have we learned from 25 years of optional SAT’s at Bates College?         

10:15-10:30 Break

10:30-12:00 Choice of one of two sessions:

Session A. Group Interview
Success Stories: How can dyslexic students thrive at a rigorous secondary school or college? Interview by Faith Middleton

Moderator:  Faith Middleton, host of the Faith Middleton Show on NPR

Participants:
• Judith York, Director, Resource Office on Disability, Yale University
• Harriet Blanchard, Director of the Learning Resource • Center at Choate Rosemary Hall, CT
• Ruth Koizim, Senior Lector, French Dept., Yale University
• Hope Fleming, graduate of Bates College
• Brooke Vogel, graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, now teaching at Stephen Gaynor School in NYC
• Blaire Kenny, graduate of Yale, currently a teaching fellow at Calvin Hill School in New Haven
• Jennifer Sheridan: graduate of Yale Divinity School
• Nate Hundt: graduate of Yale University, currently working for the US Fish & Wildlife Service in Washington, DC

Session B.  The Second Step:  Success for the dyslexic student through assistive technologies, with demonstrations by two students

Presenter:  Rene King, Certified Academic Language Therapist, Pleasant Grove Independent School District, Texarkana, TX

Students:  John David Goins, grade 8; Curt King, grade 9

Facilitator: Lynn Settlow, Head of Reading and Learning Disabilities, The Churchill School and Center, NYC

12:15 - 1:45 Lunch / Technology Exhibits open

2:00 - 3:00 Practical Planning for the Future: What are the next steps for schools?  

• Group planning sessions led by conference presenters and facilitators

3:00 - 4:00 Presentation and Discussion of Assistive Technologies

4:00-4:15 Concluding Remarks: Dyslexic Students at Rigorous Institutions.
Linda Lorimer, Vice-President and Secretary, Yale University

4:15-4:30 Drawing of Prizes/Conference Survey

4:30-5:00 Re-showing of Documentary film/Refreshments
Vendor Exhibits will remain open

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