The UC/CSU California Collaborative for Neurodiversity and Learning brings together resources from the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) systems with an aim to strengthen educational support for students with diverse learning needs. In an effort to achieve this goal, faculty from UCLA and CSU campuses, including CSUN, are working as a part of the Collaborative to develop a series of e- learning modules, focused on dyslexia. Designed for use in teacher preparation programs, the Dyslexia Modules explore the complexities of defining, assessing, and teaching students with dyslexia, within the context of today’s diverse communities, families, and student populations.
The Dyslexia Modules are rendered particularly significant given the adoption of California’s new Literacy Program Standards and Teaching Performance Expectations (2022). These explicitly require teacher educators to incorporate the California Dyslexia Guidelines in Multiple Subject, Single Subject English Language Arts, and Education Specialist Credential programs. To this end, the Dyslexia Modules align with, expand upon, and update the California Dyslexia Guidelines.
The first module in the on-line series is currently available on the e-learning tab of the Collaborative website: https://ca-literacy-dyslexia-collab.ucla.edu/. Subsequent modules, focused on neuroscience, language, assessment, instruction, and early childhood will be added in 2023. CSUN participants in the Collaborative and contributors to the modules are the following faculty: Renee Ziolkowska and Dominic Grasso (Elementary Education), Rachel Friedman Narr and Vanessa Goodwin (Special Education). Sue Sears (Special Education) and Maryanne Wolf (UCLA) are Co-faculty Directors of the UC/CSU California Collaborative for Neurodiversity and Learning.