Overview
The Monthly Decode
CT-Dyslexia Awareness Collaborative Newsletter
Stay Informed with Updates and Announcements! 
The Monthly Decode at a glance:
[ This Month's Theme ] [ Upcoming CT-DAC Events ] [ Celebrating Past Events ] [ Podcast ] [ Community Outreach and Engagement ] [The Inside Scoop]
February Theme: Celebrating Black Excellence in Literacy 
This Black History Month, we honor the innovators, advocates, and leaders shaping literacy equity.
Upcoming CT-DAC Events 
| Date & Time | Event | Location/Link |
|---|---|---|
| 2/3/26 6:00 -7:00 p.m. |
Valery Dragon: ML/EL Language and Literacy Acquisition | Virtual Registration |
| 2/7/26 7:00 -8:00 p.m. |
Decoding Dyslexia Statewide Library Campaign Visit to East Hartford Public Library |
Raymond Library 840 Main St. East Hartford, CT |
| 2/25/26 6:30 -7:30 p.m. |
Migdalia Fletcher: Understanding, Supporting & Empowering Dyslexic Children | Virtual Registration |
| Month of February | ODRD Podcast: Malik Champlain, SERC, Pages with Pops |
Virtual: Streamyard |
| Month of February | SLD: Dyslexia Online Webinars/Modules |
Canvas Modules Register |
| Month of February | Community Outreach and Engagement: The ODRD will post short multiple-choice or true/false questions about Black public figures with dyslexia, Black Literacy & Education Advocates, as well as Historical & Legacy Figures in Black Literacy. At the end of each week, the correct answer will be revealed, including short bios. |
ODRD Listserv and Website |
Celebrating Past Events 
January was busy!
Kristin Allen was at Meriden Public Library. She enjoyed meeting some parents and partaking in the arts and craft event.
In collaboration with SERC consultants Claire Conroy and Elisa Laudati, Kristin presented the second webinar in the series, Using Assessment Data to Develop Present Levels of Performance and Goals and Objectives in the Areas of Reading and Written Expression. The session was designed to support middle school educators and specialists in using assessment data to develop clear present levels of performance and to write measurable, individualized goals and objectives.
If you were unable to attend, or would like to rewatch the webinar, please use the following link: Using Assessment Data to Develop Present Levels of Performance and Goals and Objectives. The recording is also available on the Webinars page on the ODRD website.
On January 13, Kristin served as one of the presenters for CPAC’s Transition Tuesday webinar, Equipping High School Students with Dyslexia for Life Beyond High School. She was joined by Claire Conroy, a SERC consultant, and Jennifer Sullivan, CEO of Fast Forward College Coaching and an author. If you were unable to attend, or would like to rewatch the webinar, please use the following link: CPAC Webinar. The recording is also available on CPAC’s Transition Tuesday YouTube playlist.
In partnership with the Bureau of Special Education and SERC, the Office of Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities (ODRD) was honored to host a special event focused on Language and Literacy Acquisition featuring Dr. Margie Gillis. This session provided educators and stakeholders with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of how language and literacy develop, and how this knowledge can support early identification and evidence-based instruction for students with reading difficulties, including dyslexia. With 257 individuals registered, the level of interest and engagement was truly incredible, and we are grateful to everyone who joined us for this meaningful learning experience.
ODRD RewirED Podcast 
Upcoming Podcast:
Malik Champlain from the State Education Resource Center: Focus on Pages with Pops.
Previously recorded podcasts are listed below:
Previously recorded podcasts can be found here: ODRD Podcasts.
May take up to 60 days from recording to edit and post podcasts.
ODRD is Out and About
Don’t miss Associate Education Consultant Kristin Allen on Saturday, February 7th, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. In partnership with the CT State Library and Decoding Dyslexia-CT, she will share resources and answer questions about dyslexia and other reading disabilities with families in the East Hartford community at the Raymond Public Library.
Thanks to the CT Stae Library, the Dyslexia Awareness display created by Decoding Dyslexia, which features facts, book lists and linked video resources, is available to all 191 libraries statewide! Libraries will also be able to borrow a curated collection from the State Library that they, in turn, can lend to the public. Books in this collection include the Dr. Dyslexia Dude series by Dr. Shawn Robinson, the Molly’s Great Discovery series by Krista Weltner, and the second edition of Dyslexia Advocate by Kelli Sandman-Hurley.
Learn More:
- Library Campaign — Decoding Dyslexia
- Dyslexia Support Kit Book Bundle # 1 - Middletown Library Service Center CE and Equipment - CSL, Division of Library Development
The Inside Scoop
The Connecticut State Department of Education’s Office of Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities (ODRD) offers a series of webinars to support educators, administrators, specialists, and families in understanding dyslexia, structured literacy, and literacy development. These sessions cover topics such as assessment, instruction, and using data to support reading growth. Webinars include practical guidance and time for questions to help participants feel informed and supported. You can find these webinars on our website.
Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) Section (Sec.) 10-14ee, the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) has approved the abbreviated Adult Reading History Questionnaire (ARHQ-brief) as the required voluntary family history questionnaire to assist districts in the identification of students in grades Kindergarten through third (K–3) who are at risk for reading proficiency challenges. For information on the Voluntary Family Reading History Questionnaire, including the informational webinars that were held, please see our website.