Literacy Link
Literacy Link - Students
For approximately 20% of the general population, struggling in school can be linked to a language-based learning difference, such as dyslexia. However, early diagnosis of dyslexia is often limited to students whose families know how to advocate for screening and/or have the financial means to afford diagnostic evaluations. Access to screening is an equity issue.
In 2023, Hamlin Robinson School received a community grant from Pitch Your Peers (Seattle). This grant supports our efforts, beginning in September 2024, to offer FREE literacy screening services to King County students in grades 2-5* through the HRS Learning Center. The screening used – STAR Early Literacy Screening – is available in English and Spanish and offers national normative information. Because STAR is accepted by the state of Washington as an official screening tool, results are actionable in the public education system. Hamlin Robinson School has utilized STAR Assessments for many years, and screening administrators are trained in reporting and offering guidance to families.
This initiative is a proactive response to the critical need for early identification of students with language-based learning differences, beyond the state required screening for K-2 students in Washington public schools. By offering these screenings, along with an actionable report to parents/guardians, students are more likely to receive timely intervention, learning support, and accommodations.
* If your student is outside this age range, do not hesitate to submit an inquiry form! Families with younger or older students are encouraged to reach out for support options tailored to their needs.
What is Hamlin Robinson School?
The mission of Hamlin Robinson School (HRS) is to ignite the academic and creative potential of students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. Founded in 1983, we are an independent school accredited by the National Association for Independent Schools.
Hamlin Robinson School believes equitable access to an educational program ensuring student success should be a right afforded to all students, not a privilege for a few. Students attend HRS from over 70 Washington zip codes, with families often choosing our school due to an inability to find a local, effective instructional program. HRS prides itself on supporting the marginalized communities of students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences so that they have an equitable opportunity to succeed academically and in life beyond school.
What is the HRS Learning Center?
The HRS Learning Center is the community outreach component of Hamlin Robinson School. The HRS Learning Center extends the school’s expertise and provides a resource and service hub for students, families, educators, and community members. Since its inception in 2012, the Learning Center has served students across Puget Sound through in-person and virtual educational services such as Tutoring, Screening, Test Prep, HRS Summer Academy and Social Skills classes. The Learning Center also offers parent and educator workshops, our nationally/internationally viewed HRS Speaker Series, and the HRS Community Library. To learn more about the HRS Learning Center and its programs, please visit the homepage here.
What is Literacy Screening?
The term “screening” includes a broad array of tests that provide a snapshot of a student’s overall development. Among its uses, a screening can help determine if a student is on track or would benefit from additional instructional support with specific learning targets. A screening is often a precursor to a formal evaluation. Please note that the literacy screener used in the Literacy Link program is a non-diagnostic risk screener. Literacy Screening can identify indicators of dyslexia and should not be used as a diagnosis.
How to sign up for the Literacy Link Screening Program
- Step 1: Complete the Inquiry Form Below
- Step 2: Schedule and Attend a Screening Appointment
- Step 3: Review the Results and Discuss Next Steps
Step 1: Complete the Inquiry Form Below
Step 2: Schedule and Attend a Screening Appointment
Once your Inquiry Form has been reviewed and approved, HRS Learning Center staff will reach out regarding the next steps. Parents and guardians will have the opportunity to select from an available screening site and a date and time.
On the day of the appointment, parents and guardians will bring their students to the screening site. Screening will be administered by trained HRS faculty and staff. Screenings usually take approximately one hour.
Step 3: Review the Results and Discuss Next Steps
Literacy Link - Educators
For approximately 20% of the general population, struggling in school can be linked to a language-based learning difference, such as dyslexia. However, early diagnosis of dyslexia is often limited to students whose families know how to advocate for screening and/or have the financial means to afford diagnostic evaluations. Access to screening is an equity issue.
In 2023, Hamlin Robinson School received a community grant from Pitch Your Peers (Seattle). This grant supports our efforts, beginning in September 2024, to offer FREE literacy screening services to King County students in grades 2-5 through the HRS Learning Center. Hamlin Robinson School utilizes Renaissance’s STAR Assessments to evaluate foundational literacy skills across various grade levels, ensuring personalized and effective instruction tailored to each student’s needs. Our extensive experience with these assessments enables us to provide families with detailed insights into their child's progress and areas for growth.
Through the PYP grant, HRS also has the resources to share its expertise with other educators through free or low-cost training workshops. Upcoming workshops will equip educators with information and practical skills for identifying struggling students through the STAR Early Literacy Screening used at many public elementary schools and having a toolkit to support them.
Workshops will offer participating educators the chance to:
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Explore the characteristics and myths of dyslexia
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Learn more about screening assessment tools and methodologies
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Develop strategies for administrating and interpreting literacy screening assessments
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Build strategies for developing support and follow-up plans for students after screening
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Explore effective instructional techniques tailored for learners with dyslexia
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Create a more inclusive classroom environment
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Contextualize engagement with parents and caregivers as they support students’ learning journeys
Please join us for a free workshop, "When Students Struggle With Reading: How to Understand, Assess, and Support Struggling and Dyslexic Readers," on Saturday, March 15, 2025. Register below.
Upcoming Workshops
- February 8, 2025: Championing Dyslexia for Specialist Teachers
- March 15, 2025: When Students Struggle With Reading
February 8, 2025: Championing Dyslexia for Specialist Teachers
Championing Dyslexia: Tools for Specialist Teachers
Saturday, February 8, 2025
9:00am - 12:30pm
Location:
Hamlin Robinson School
1701 20th Ave. S
Seattle, WA 98144
Workshop Fee: $35 per person
Participants will earn 3.5 WA OSPI clock hours.
Specialist educators play an important role in nurturing the unique strengths of all students, including those with dyslexia. In this half-day workshop, we’ll explore how specialist teachers can become champions for dyslexic learners—whether or not reading is central to your classroom.
Learn: Understand the key characteristics of dyslexia, how it affects learning, and what it might look like in your classroom.
Explore: Connect with colleagues from your field, tour the Hamlin Robinson School building to discover resources, and dive into supportive instructional practices.
Plan: Identify practical strategies for your classroom, break down lesson plans, and develop an action plan for immediate implementation.
March 15, 2025: When Students Struggle With Reading
When Students Struggle with Reading
How to Understand, Assess, and Support Struggling and Dyslexic Readers
Saturday, March 15, 2025
9:00am – 1:00pm
Location:
Hamlin Robinson School (Middle School building)
1701 20th Ave S
Seattle, WA 98144
Thanks to grant funding, there is no charge for educators to attend this event.
Participants will earn 4 WA OSPI clock hours.
Join us for this interactive workshop designed specifically for elementary educators and literacy specialists who work with struggling readers.
This professional development opportunity will provide:
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A comprehensive overview of dyslexia and its impact on early reading skills
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Detailed information about the five essential pillars of reading instruction (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension)
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A review of key assessments to identify students' literacy strengths and weaknesses
- Evidence-based strategies to personalize instruction and implement practical techniques for building reading confidence and skills in the classroom
This workshop is ideal for educators seeking to deepen their understanding of literacy challenges, make effective use of assessments, and improve outcomes for students who need extra support.
We hope you'll join us for this free event as part of the Literacy Link program. Please spread the word to other educators who may be interested in this opportunity!