Laura Schultz

Background

About Laura Schultz

Co-Founder, Decoding Dyslexia Maryland (DDMD), a state and local grassroots network of advocates that includes parents, students, teachers, nonprofit community organizations, and groups concerned about reading instruction and interventions in PK-12 Maryland public schools. DDMD collaborates with education organizations, including the MD State Department of Education (MSDE), public policy makers, local districts, boards of education and related stakeholders, to implement systemic change to how reading is taught in Maryland public schools and educator preparation programs. DDMD organizes parents and teachers in Maryland's 24 local school districts and currently has 14 chapters. Each chapter addresses local issues related to curriculum, instruction, assessment, multi-tiered systems of support and other areas that impact dyslexia and reading. DDMD advocates build relationships and expertise to help shift instructional practices and to create systemic change in reading. Accomplishments include development & passage ofThe Ready to Read Act of 2019; appointment to the Maryland Task Force on Dyslexia & participation in the development and publication of the Final Report (2016) presented to the Maryland Legislature; developed and implemented the Maryland Dyslexia Technical Assistance Bulletin; advocating for a drop down menu so parents can choose dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia on their child’s Individualized Education Programs (IEPs); advocacy that established the federally funded, National Center on Improving Literacy (NCIL); advocacy that created a federal “Dear Colleague” on dyslexia; advocacy that established a partnership between NCIL, MSDE, St. Mary's County Public Schools and DDMD to demonstrate the value of reading screening and early interventions; advocacy to provide funding for the Ready to Read Act in the Blueprint for Maryland. Board Member, The Reading League Maryland, Volunteer Commissioner for the Leonardtown Planning and Zoning Commission and former St. Mary's County Citizen's Advisory Committee for Special Education, former Parent Advisory Member, NCIL.