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<P class=MsoNormalCxSpFirst><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Greetings
All,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Though I
am far from expert in my understanding of all of the implications for Braille
learners in the completion of DIBELS, I offer the following. In the state of
Louisiana, Braille students are given the option of not being assessed using
DIBELS as are their k-3 peers. This is because, quite frankly, most students,
due to a variety of factors about which many sermons could be preached, do not
have a solid grasp of the Braille code nearly as early as we would like. That,
coupled with the timed nature and, at times ponderous formatting of DIBELS,
makes its administration problematic for most students in this
cohort.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">With this
in view, Louisiana has decided to allow for the utilization of the Jerry Johns
inventory for assessing one’s reading level, as well as for the administration
of the ABLS (Assessing Braille Literacy Skills) checklist—developed by Region 4
in Texas. Though Braille advocates like me are somewhat taken aback by this, as
we all know that Braille is not a slower medium than is print, the stark reality
is, that in the early grades (the stage at which DIBELS is administered), our
Braille kids are often behind the curve. This unfortunate, yet undeniable,
reality prompted the Louisiana decision, as did the fact that the Johns and ABLS
approach will certainly provide the desired data to the
evaluators.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">I hope
this helps and that everyone isn’t going crazy in the flurry of activities that
characterizes this time of year. A great day to
all!<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Eric
Guillory<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">PIBE
President<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Director
of Youth Services<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Louisiana
Center for the Blind<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes"><FONT
size=3><FONT face=Calibri>“Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought
for with ardor and attended to with diligence.”--Abigail
Adams<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
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