Center for the Study of Dyslexia

Founded: 1993

Fulltime: 9

Part time: 9

Budget: $203,950

Director: Carol S. Ronka, Ph.D.
LA Center for Dyslexia & Related Learning Disorders
Nicholls State University
P. O. Box 2050
Thibodaux, LA 70310

Telephone: (985) 448-4214 Fax: (985) 448-4423

e-mail:

Research Areas:

The Center was established to meet the following critical needs in Louisiana:

1) reduce the number of persons unable to acquire functional reading skills due to the condition known as dyslexia, 2) establish a university-based program within existing teacher education programs for the pre-service and in-service preparation of personnel qualified to remediate dyslexia, 3) centralize research efforts regarding dyslexia and related disorders, 4) facilitate implementation of the R.S. 17:7(11) in cooperation with the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the State Department of Education and other agencies.

Areas of Expertise:

The mission of the Center for the Study of Dyslexia is to meet the following objectives: 1) to identify and develop research-based procedures and programs for the identification and remediation of dyslexia and related disorders in school-aged and adult populations, 2) to educate and prepare professional personnel through undergraduate and graduate course offerings for service in clinic, school-based or service center settings for the remediation of dyslexia and related disorders, 3) to establish a statewide system for the referral of potential clients for screening/identification, 4) to provide on-site remedial instruction for area clients in a university-based clinical setting, 5) to establish a network for coordinating and delivering services to the State of Louisiana through its regional institutions of higher learning, 6) to conduct research efforts and to report research findings on the study of dyslexia and related disorders, 7) to invite leading scholars in the field of dyslexic study, research, and program development to Nicholls State University, 8) to provide consultative and other support services with and for parents, schools, teachers, tutors, and other agencies, 9) to establish a resource center for dissemination of materials and information appropriate for the identification and remediation of dyslexia, 10) to cooperate with other allied professionals, for example, speech pathology, ophthalmology, neurology, and psychology in the study of dyslexia, and related disorders, to promote an interdisciplinary approach to this study.

Special Capabilities and Facilities:

The strength of the Center is in the expertise of the Master's level Program Coordinators who are trained to work with students with dyslexia. jAfter school tutoring is provided for 1-12 students. The Center also is integrated into the College of Education and assists in the pre-service training of prospective teachers. The Center also collaborates with the School Psychology Specialist program to train graduate students to recognize students with possible learning disabilities. Assessments are available for children, adoloescents adn adults. Screening is available for 4-6 year olds. In addition, the Center works with the Giardina Family Foundation to further in-service training for existing teachers throughout the state.

Research Equipment:

A computer room consisting of:

Mainframe and Internet connections

8 new IMacs

2 G4 Macs

4 Dells

3 laser printers

1 color Stylewriter printer

Keywords:

Dyslexia

Learning Disabilities

Education

Teachers