story by Claire Miller
College of Education & Human Development Clinical Associate Professor Lauren Boden and Assistant Professor Brennan Chandler received a $56,566 grant from the Georgia Department of Education to expand the college's dyslexia endorsement program.
The endorsement program gives educators a more in-depth understanding of dyslexia – a learning disability that affects students’ ability to read and spell words – and other similar disabilities. Students in the endorsement gain a deep and broad knowledge of instruction and assessment related to reading and writing with an emphasis on dyslexia and reading disabilities.
Boden and colleagues previously received Georgia Department of Education funding to support the endorsement in 2022.
This new grant will allow Boden and Chandler to offer scholarships to current teachers, buy supplies and resources to enhance existing coursework and create training videos and modules for educators.
They will also be able to fund professional development opportunities for faculty and instructors who teach in the endorsement program.
“This initiative is part of the state's response to Senate Bill 48, which focuses on improving literacy outcomes for students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties,” Chandler said. “This investment will strengthen the preparation of special educators at Georgia State University to provide them with the tools and expertise needed to implement evidence-based literacy instruction in classrooms across the state.”
To learn more about the dyslexia endorsement, visit https://education.gsu.edu/program/endorsements-special-education.