How to Help Struggling Readers Access Complex Text
2025-03-27 15:30 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Are your students struggling with grade-level texts, especially as the complexity ramps up in higher grades? Textbooks and literature become increasingly challenging in upper grades due to more intricate sentence structures, advanced vocabulary, sophisticated text organization, and abstract content. Many teachers feel forced to simplify materials for struggling readers, which can inadvertently hold students back, limiting their long-term growth and achievement.
Join literacy expert Natalie Wexler to discover how the power of oral language—including engaging read-alouds, rich class discussions, strategic use of audiobooks, and targeted oral activities—can unlock complex texts for all learners and especially struggling readers.
Learn practical tips for:
• building essential background knowledge;
• expanding vocabulary; and
• fostering deep syntactic understanding.
Let’s help all students access complex texts confidently and experience reading success!
Register now!

SPOD Diving Deeper - Supporting Students Diagnosed with Dyslexia & Their Families
2025-09-09 15:00 - 16:00
Join dyslexia experts Missy Purcell and Mallary Lattanze for a crucial follow-up session that builds on their popular Spotlight on Dyslexia presentation. This webinar is designed to provide you with deeper insights and evidence-based strategies to effectively support students with dyslexia and empower their families.
Go beyond the basics as we dive into practical applications of dyslexia interventions and explore nuanced approaches to a more holistic support system.
This session will cover:

Evidence-Based Interventions for Dyslexia: Learn how to apply proven, practical strategies in your classroom.
Fostering Self-Advocacy: Discover nuanced techniques to help students with dyslexia understand their own learning and become strong self-advocates.
Addressing Co-Occurring Conditions: Gain insights into identifying and supporting students who have dyslexia along with other learning differences.
Building Home-School Partnerships: Refine your communication skills to create stronger, more collaborative relationships with families.

Gain the expertise needed to transform student outcomes and cultivate a truly inclusive and supportive learning environment.
Register now!

From Screening to Success: Navigating California's Early Literacy Landscape
2025-10-22 14:00 - 15:00
Join literacy leaders Linda Diamond, Kasey Klappenback, and Megan Potente for a compelling panel discussion on the future of reading in California. We go beyond the new law, SB 114, focusing on the essential, practical implementation of effective reading screenings. Understanding how to correctly use and interpret reading screenings is the crucial next step for all California schools.
This must-attend event shows educators and administrators how to properly utilize California’s new literacy laws to build a stronger foundation for lifelong reading success for all students. Furthermore, the panel discusses the potential impact of related legislation, like AB 1454, and explains why it’s essential for achieving early literacy success.
Key Strategies for Effective Implementation:
This session provides clarity and actionable strategies for California educators. The panelists will address:

Understanding screeners: What they are, how to correctly interpret the results, and why they must remain curriculum-agnostic.
Using data effectively: How to use screening data to identify both school-wide instructional needs and specific educator support needs.
Early warning systems: How to use screeners as an early warning to identify students who need more specific diagnostic measures. This helps determine specific skill gaps and plan targeted instruction for reading intervention.

This recorded panel is essential for all educators, administrators, and parents seeking to understand and implement California’s new literacy landscape.
Register now!

SPOD Diving Deeper - Evolving the Definition of Dyslexia for Greater Inclusivity and Practical Impact
2025-11-05 16:00 - 17:00
Unpacking the New Definition of Dyslexia
Join Dr. Tim Odegard, a key member of the International Dyslexia Association’s (IDA) Definition Committee, for this webinar about the evolving definition of dyslexia. Dr. Odegard shares a unique perspective grounded in both extensive research and personal experience. Here, we’ll dive deep into the newly announced IDA definition of dyslexia.

Practical Insights for Educators
This session offers crucial knowledge for every educator and education leader. You’ll have access to Dr. Odegard’s original session with Dr. Charley Haynes from Spotlight on Dyslexia as well. This is your chance to understand the evolving dyslexia definition and what it means for your practice.

Empowering You and Your Students
This webinar provides an invaluable opportunity to:

Understand the new dyslexia definition
Align your practices with current scientific consensus
Advocate effectively for all learners
Foster greater inclusivity and impact in your educational settings

Don’t miss this must-attend event to grasp the practical implications of this vital update.
Register now!

SPOD Diving Deeper - The Intersection of AI and LD: Dyslexia & Education in the Age of AI
2025-12-09 16:00 - 17:00
Unlock the future of learning. Join education leader Josh Clark for a webinar on the revolutionary impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on education. We’ll focus on supporting students with learning disabilities, like dyslexia.
A Deeper Dive into AI and LD
Following his popular “Spotlight on Dyslexia” session, Josh Clark returns. This is your chance to explore the intersection of AI, learning challenges, and innovative teaching. We will provide actionable strategies for today’s educators and administrators.
What You’ll Learn:

Practical AI Strategies: Discover concrete ways to integrate AI ethically into your classroom. Learn how AI personalizes learning and streamlines tasks. Enhance outcomes for all learners, including those with dyslexia.
New Frameworks for Learning: Engage in thought-provoking discussions about the ethical challenges of AI in education. Develop a strong understanding to guide your institution. We’ll focus on how AI impacts students with dyslexia.
Empowering Students for the Future: Gain insights on how to prepare students for an AI-driven world. Equip them with critical thinking and digital literacy skills. Use AI to address diverse learning needs, including those related to dyslexia.
Bonus Session: As a registered attendee, you will get free access to Josh Clark’s original “Spotlight on Dyslexia” session. This resource provides a strong foundation for understanding the role of AI in this context.

Who Should Attend?
This webinar is for all education leaders. This includes superintendents, principals, curriculum directors, and special education coordinators. It’s also for instructional technologists, teachers in leadership roles, and educational policymakers.
Revolutionize your approach to education. Empower the next generation of thinkers.
Register now!
