Going Local: Virginia

FCPS IEP Meeting: “Just Words” not Endorsed for Dyslexia, FCPS Dyslexia Training of Teachers Slow, Not “At the Rate that We Need It”

“How are we going to train all these teachers in Fairfax, you know, at the rate that we need it? We need to build that capacity. Some teachers are going to struggle even with Orton Gillingham, because it does require teachers to be very prescriptive and, well diagnostic first and then prescriptive in how they tailor their lessons.”

~Dottie Skrincosky, Fairfax County Dyslexia Resource, Region 5 Point of Contact, Intervention and Accommodation

This is a partial transcript of an IEP meeting that occurred toward the end of the 2019-20 school year.

Months earlier, the parent had stated that the program “Just Words” did not meet the unique needs of her son who was diagnosed with Dyslexia. This is not this parent’s first time at the Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) Dyslexia rodeo. She was joined by two friends who know the rodeo and Dyslexia well, too.

The honesty of Dottie Skrincosky was refreshing, but concerning just the same.

Dear VDOE: Is it Okay for Compliance Specialist to Show Bias Against Parent and Editorialize Complaint Letter of Findings?

“Just love the irony”.

These are the words of a Virginia Department of Education Compliance Specialist. They appear in her edits of a State Complaint Letter of Findings.

State Complaints are supposed to be unbiased and investigated in full, with an “independent determination” provided.

However, when the individuals connected to the complaint exhibit very definite opinions about the investigation, unbiased and “independent determination” might as well be thrown out the window.

VDOE Sets Dangerous Precedent; Guidance Includes Get-Out-of-Providing-“Recovery Services” Loophole

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) set a dangerous precedent with the release of its document “VDOE Considerations for COVID Recovery Services for Students with Disabilities”.

The document includes a get-out-of-providing-compensatory education/”recovery services” loophole—and exhibits a questionable interpretation of laws related to students with disabilities.

Yes, Virginia, There Is Dyslexia

DEAR EDITOR: I am 46 years old.
Some educators and lawyers say there is no Dyslexia.
My research makes me say, ‘If you see it in your child it’s so.’
Please tell me the truth; is there Dyslexia?

~Virginia Parent

Virginia, the educators and lawyers are wrong. They have been affected by ignorance. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds.

They see a first grade boy who walks around when it is time to read and assume him to have attention struggles.

They see a ninth grade girl with good grades and assume her to be lazy.

They know not of what they speak, Virginia, for they only believe what they perceive, rather than what is real.

Due Process Hearing Officer: “Just Words” Not a Methodology that Addresses Learning Disabilities Associated with Dyslexia; FCPS Continues to Recommend “Just Words” for Students with Dyslexia

“From the evidence presented at the hearing, I have learned there are several competing methodologies that address learning disabilities associated with dyslexia. But it is clear to this Hearing Officer that JUST WORDS is not one of them”. —Richard M. Alvey, Due Process Hearing Officer

If you have a child in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), Virginia, who has Dyslexia, chances are FCPS has stated the program “Just Words” is appropriate to address your child’s unique needs related to Dyslexia.

Didn’t matter if the child was in 4th grade or 10th grade, FCPS pushed “Just Words” for children with Dyslexia.

Earlier this year, due process hearing officer Richard M. Alvey stated a final decision about “Just Words” that every parent with a child who has Dyslexia should know about—and which should have stopped FCPS’ continuing to recommend the program for children with Dyslexia.

VDOE: School Divisions May Not Charge Students for Computers or Other Devices

Today—after weeks of asking the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) why FCPS is charging a fee to access education (and receiving no response)—VDOE’s Constituent Services team sent the email stating:

“Guidance just released from VDOE this week states computers and devices now fall squarely within the category of items for which divisions may not charge due to the substantive shift in how core and required instruction is being delivered for this school year.”

Takes a community (and/or a few vocal parents) to point out ignorance to the individuals who should be in the know.

FERPA Violation: Willow Springs Elementary School Students’ Privacy Violated

While FCPS has inadvertently provided me information about dozens of other FCPS students and staff, I’m not alone in this dubious honor.

The documents below were given to another FCPS parent and include information about children other than her own. She didn’t ask to receive this information. FCPS provided it to her in the course of providing other documentation to her.

FERPA Violation: Silverbrook Elementary School Students’ Privacy Violated; Behind the Scenes, Choosing Students to “Enrich”

I didn’t request this document.

Fairfax Public County Public Schools (FCPS) provided it to me in response to a FERPA request.

FCPS redacted the names marked in black, but failed to redact almost another dozen names. I redacted those, before posting the document here. They appear as blank spaces in the document.

Between 2016 and 2020, FCPS has inadvertently provided me information about dozens of FCPS students and their families, and staff. I complain. The Virginia Department of Education (VODE) finds FCPS at fault for privacy violations, and then the noncompliance continues.

In addition to violating the privacy of these students, it is an interesting view of the “enrichment program” selection process.

Category: Going Local: Virginia (page 26)