Molly Alcantar is a District Level Administrator for Vancouver Public Schools
. She works in a variety of capacities to support student learning which includes coordinating district resources. An area of focus for Vancouver Public Schools is the K-5 English Language Arts Curriculum.
Amy Medick is the Learning Assistance Program (LAP) Coordinator for Vancouver Public Schools
.
Molly and Amy work as a team in an effort to ensure that their core English language instruction is effective. Part of this effort includes making sure curricular resources are available and align well with supplemental intervention materials needed to work with students.
In 2018, the Washington State Legislature Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 6162 (E2SSB 6162) was passed requiring early screening of dyslexia. While the newly passed legislation does not require screening for dyslexia until the fall of 2021, Vancouver Public School has taken a proactive approach. (To find Washington Dyslexia legislation and the WA Dyslexia handbook follow this
link
.)
Vancouver Public Schools recognized that educators will need to develop a basic understanding of dyslexia and best practices and strategies to support students who may demonstrate characteristics of dyslexia.
Through a partnership with The International Dyslexia Association - Oregon Branch (IDA - Oregon Branch),
Vancouver Public Schools have been able to provide over 90 educators with an initial understanding of dyslexia and instructional practices to support students with characteristics of dyslexia
. In addition, targeted professional development has been provided for Elementary Specialists, Interventionists, and Special Education Teachers.
The goal of the partnership with IDA-Oregon Branch and Vancouver Public Schools is to provide educators with knowledge, so they are better able to provide instruction that meets the needs of students, including those who demonstrate characteristics of dyslexia.
