UPDATE


 * Summer 2010**--MOA in partnership with FDL (Foundation for the Disabled Learners) set up prototype for vision program at MOA. This program provided vision screening and activities for five students. FDL also established a partnership with Dr. Judi Perez where everyone that comes through FDL will get a discount rate. Also FDL has been offering grants, since the summer of 2010, to MOA students that cannot afford the more intensive vision services that are needed.


 * 10/22/2010**--Michael Lewis has given Professional Development and ten additional teachers were given the opportunity by email to become vision partner teachers.


 * 11/01/2010**-- There are 7 teachers that have received pass words, usernames and instructions to begin online vision training. Three teachers have confirmed that they will be finished with the online training by the end of Thanks giving break. One teacher is in the process of receiving approval for funding to begin online vision training. When we get a consensus from a majority of the teachers we will schedule onsite training from Leslie Peters of sensory processing. Which will lead to our first mass vision screening

11/09/2010--All teaches that have been given a password and username have agreed upon the completion of the online course for vision training by November 25th 2010.


 * 11/10/2010**--New vision Partner Courtney Granillo has been given a password and username in order to start vision training.


 * 11/10/2010**--Talks have been initiated between Adriana (site principal), Michael Lewis and Leslie Peters(Training Facilitator) for setting dates for 8hr onsite vision training for the eight teachers.


 * 11/30/2010**-- Sharon Valencia, Merle Plantze and Michael Lewis have completed vision online training.


 * 12/01/2010**--Final onsite training for teachers will be held January 7th 2011


 * 01/03/2011**- Ted Parsons has completed online vision training.
 * 01/03/2011**-Laurie Bella has finished the online vision course training.


 * 01/07/2011**-All teachers have completed online vision training and onsite training ( facilitated by Leslie Peters of Sensory Processing) in assessments and activities was completed.


 * 2/3/2011**--First Mass screening of students, approximately 15, will be held Feb, 11th 2011. Confirmation letters that are going to be signed by the students that are going to participate are being finalized by Principal and Counselors.


 * 2/11/2011**--First mass screening was completed a total for 13 students were screened with 6 dedicated teachers manning the various stations. We had special guest DR Judi Perez, OD join us to lend her expertise. We also had Martha Gooden-Lewis (Vice President/Cofounder of FDL) who also pioneered the research at Porter Elementary in San Diego Unified with vision and Reading Recovery. We were especially happy to have Leslie Peters of Sensory Processing. Her help and knowledge of the whole process speeded up our screening procedure greatly.


 * 2/22/2011**--Vision activity class facilitated by Courtney Granillo will begin 2/23/2011. TABE testing, CASAS testing as well as Catalyst Protocol will be used as pre/post test data.


 * 2/25/2011**--Vision program progress and data of why needed was given to the ABE teachers in the Division by Michael Lewis. There were comments of "The presentation was very interesting....I can't wait to see the results of the data...(named teacher) is praising this program."


 * 3/2/2011--** Vision activity class is in session. Students have given very good comments," I feel like reading is getting easier." Courtney Granillo has started pre TABE testing the students with a more challenging TABE test than used at MOA. Courtney has also secured funding for technology to be implemented. The program is called BrainBuilder. It can be found at [|www.Brainbuilder.com] . It is a special program that can and has been used for vision activities where audio and visual memory is deficient. The vision class will get four computers loaded with the programs that will keep records and progress of 20 students, with a possible extension to four other computers.


 * 3/11/2011**-- Ted Parsons has actively went out and solicited recruitment of teachers for future vision screenings. Today he was conferencing with a teacher who was interested in possibly becoming a part of our vision team. Great Job Ted!


 * 4/6/2011**-- Vision meeting scheduled for 4/08/2011 will have the counselor (Andrea ) and two new teachers Lisa James and Robert Farrell(recruited by Ted Parsons) attending.


 * 4/6/2011**--Michael Lewis gave update to teachers at Montgomery Adult School. All students inducted into the program were recommended by their teacher, who had previously received vision training. Of the 13 students initially inducted into the program, 02/11/2011, utilizing Catalyst prescreening protocol, 8 stayed with the program. 6 out of 8 (75%) students showed significant CASAS gains.

Students with 20 or more vision activity sessions had average CASAS gains of 5.75. Additionally, 75% of these students have passed GED practice test that they previously had difficulties passing because of time requirements. All students felt good and positive about there vision activities and progress.

Students with 8 to 10 vision activity sessions had average CASAS gains of 2.75.

All CASAS score gains were referenced from last valid CASAS scores before the post test that were given in March 2011. Most of the pretest valid CASAS scores were given in January 2011. These gains were significant considering Montgomery Adult average CASAS gains for the year as a whole is less than 2.00.

Vision teacher Courtney Granillo shared with teachers her vision activities that the students perform. She showed her enthusiasm as she talked about the progress of her class. She also commented on student Daniel Chavez that had the highest CASAS gain of 14.

Michael Lewis also shared Wiki Websites that he developed for his class room and the vision program all integrated into the TIMAC program for the 20010/2011 school year. Michelle D. shared her TIMAC project. She is using Moodle to develop online courses.


 * 4/6/2011**-- Lisa Diaz confirmed the intention of purchasing programs(Brain Builder) that will be used in the vision program. The programs will be able to host and keep records of twenty students in visual and audio sequencing activities.

===4/08/2011-- **Vision Meeting held facilitated by Michael Lewis. The attendees included Ted Parsons, Lisa Diaz, Michelle Dullea, Ted Parsons, Merle Plantz and counselor Andrea Aragoza. Three new teachers (Lisa James, Robert Ferrell and Monty Lish) interested in the program also attended and received 2 hour private/group vision training.**===

** ---Post screening will be done by Courtney (volunteered) in her classroom vs. the whole team. The scheduled date __was to be__ the 20th of May as authorized by Adriana. **
===** ---The next mass prescreening will be initiated after the first three weeks (As per request by Andrea) of the 2011/2012 school year. The counselors will call those on the list starting the third week of school. **=== ===** ---After team intensive team discussion in order to shorten pre/post screening, screening will be limited to the following seven skills: Eye Movement Control, Eye Teaming, Visual Closure, Figure-Ground, Eye-Hand Coordination, and 1/2 of Auditory Sequencing; however, Courtney will include all thirteen of the vision skills in her classroom activities. **=== ===** ---Before next mass screening Michael will discuss with Andrea the possibility of having a Vision /ABE reading class on Fridays 8-12/10-12 in room 10 or Courtney indicated that she could do vision activities 11:45 to12:15 Tuesday and Thursday (possibly room 14). Too many were not serviced because of time conflict. **===


 * 4/18/2011**- In collaboration with presenter Leslie Peters of Sensory Processing Courses, Michael Lewis presented MOA Vision Program at CCAE/COABE National Conference at the Hilton hotel in San Francisco CA. Many were impressed with the data presented and the involvement of the teachers and administrators alike after viewing the "moavisionprogram.wikispaces.com website." Leslie Peters commented,”... you were impressive - concise, enthusiastic but professional, obviously dedicated to students..."
 * During the conference, Executive Director Oscar Mireles** of Omega School, Madison, Wisconsin; **Division Director, Melanie LaMoutain** of Westbay Adult Education Academy, Warwick, Rode Island and Literacy **Program Coordinator Caroline Beverstock** of Project Read, San Mateo, California all __**had informal private meetings with Michael Lewis on how to implement a vision program in their area/school.**__


 * 5/10/2011**--Michael Lewis facilitated a vision work shop at the Viva Vida Conference at Montgomery Adult School. New Mentees Robert Ferrell and Lisa James assisted in the workshop. Six students signed up for mass screening for the Fall semester.

06/01/11--Michael Lewis went to Omega School in Madison WI, to introduce MOA vision Program to Facility. Teachers were excited to begin program of their own. Director/Principal Oscar Morales stated that he wants to help spread the importance of the vision program to Washington DC. Omega School has a very impressive program for GED testing and was recognized nationally at the COABE National Convention. He hopes to improve his 90% GED pass rate with the addition of a vision program.

07/16/2011--Michael Lewis completed two day certification for the Irlen Method at Brandman University in Walnut Creek CA. Michael is now a certified screener for Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome or Irlen Syndrome. MOA now has the capability to screen students labeled ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia, Learning Disorder, Emotional/Behavioral problems, Brain Damage, Autism or just having learning difficulties for color sensitivity and administer colored overlays that will eliminate or greatly relieve their learning challenges.

8/05/2011--Two students were screened at MOA for Irlen Syndrome in Michael Lewis's Friday Class. One student from Ted Parsons class was screened for color overlays that greatly improved his comfort in reading and severe vision problem he was having during screening. He will use them for a week and give an update the following Friday

. 8/26/2011- Meeting was held with teachers in vision program. Vision progress from last year’s program was discussed. All students enrolled in vision program showed significant increase in vision skills as indicated by post testing by Courtney Granillo.

New procedure for testing for Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome/Irlen Syndrome was discussed. Before vision screening for deficient vision skills, Irlen Method screening will be done. Eight students have completed Screening for Irlen Syndrome and have been screened for the proper colored overlay. 100% of those screened have been diagnosed with moderate to severe Irlen Syndrome. If needed students will be screened for vision activities after Irlen Syndrome screening/(verificationof effectiveness) is completed. Students should be actively verifying effectiveness of colored overlays during their studies in the week.

All teachers present wanted to be trained to do preliminary screening for Irlen Syndrome. After training mass screening will be discussed. Michael will research training logistics. Monty Lish agreed to push vision at night for the teachers working the evening shift. Ted sent email to all high lighting considerations. Ted and Monty sent emails to confirm that they wanted to get training for full certification in screening for Irlen Syndrome.


 * 09/02/2011**-- Rossita Fernando approached Michael Lewis and stipulated that she would like to be a part of the vision team, and that she would like to use her newly acquired skills of grant writing get grants for the vision program. Welcome to the team Rossita.


 * 9/21/2011**-- "Congratulations! " to Courtney Granillo for being selected by administration for Irlen Syndrome (Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome) full certification Training. She is the first district sponsored teacher for this certification training.


 * 09/23/2011**-- Teachers went through first part training workshop for certification of Pre Assessment for Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome (PASS), facilitated by Michael Lewis


 * 10/28/2011**-- Congratulations! to Laurianne Bella, Lisa Diaz, Michelle Dullea, Ted Parsons, Courtney Granillo and Merlyne Plantz. In the month of October, 2011 they were all certified to administer the pre assessment for Irlen Syndrome.


 * 11/13/2011--** Congratulations! to Courtney Granillo. She has completed certification training as a screener for Irlen Syndrome Through the Irlen International Institute. She was trained by the founder Helen Irlen.

===Colton, Redlands, Yucaipa Regional Occupations Program (CRY_ROP) was award funding through CTE-TEACH by CDE. They contracted San Diego County Office of Ed video production department to shoot videos of best practices to develop an archive of best practices that teachers state wide can view at their discretion. Videos will be shared in a number of websites including CTEONLINE. ===
 * 2/3/2012**--We were asked to share our vision program in a Video Shoot, on April 13th during the 8am-10am class, via the San Diego County Office of Education. Read info from below:


 * 2/15/2012**--After classroom presentations by Courtney Granillo, Ted Parsons, and calls by Merle Plantz along with her soliciting for presentations, the vision class on Fridays has had over 20 students for the past three Friday meetings. **Over sixty students have been screened** with more than 90% screened for Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome and given colored overlays of various colors. Some of the students have said that it has relieved their headaches, attention problems, blurriness, sleepiness while reading, and one with a problem with blindness in one eye (she was scheduled for a surgery)...etc. One student has even gone to her child’s school and requested that her child be screened. After screening, her child is doing much better in school.

=**3/20/2012**--Great News! After looking at about **33% (25 students)** of the **paired CASAS scores,** Pre and Post, in reference to the students Vision Screening dates the following data was accumulated:= 1) **56%** of the students show **Significant Gains**. Of the 56%, **85%** show **Double Significant Gains**. 2) The **average gain** is **4.24%** 3) Approximatly **75%** of all tested have documented that the overlays **have helped them Considerably** in their deficiency/deficiencies when given the choice of : 1) N/A, 2) Mild, 3) Moderate, 4) Considerably I am looking forward to the end of the year tally. Everyone involved (also CC'ed) keep up the good work for our students!
 * In addition we have many many, written testimonials from our students of their successes.**

==**4/13/2012---** Video shoot for Best Practices went well. The students participated in an outstanding manner and Laurie Bella and Courtney Granillo did a good job leading the students in exercises. The county representative was so impressed with our mission that they are also going to do a video to send to Washington D.C. to help push the Children's Vision Bill.==

=**6/08/2012**--** This year ** we have screened over 74 students ; in which we have so far verified that 97% have indications of SSS, of which 75% are severe and 25% are moderate. =
 * The CASAS gains were outstanding **. The classes of teachers that had been trained in the Irlen Method had average CASAS **gains of 5.2**; for those students with less than 10 hours of class time and average CASAS **gains of 7.7**; for those with 10 hours of class time or more. Our **school wide** CASAS gains went from **1.97 to 2.76 (40% increase**). Additionally, we had **10 GED/High school graduates** of students that went through the vision Program, which represented **20% of our GED graduates**. Most importantly, **testimonials** from teachers and students have been **positively overwhelming** ..



====**11/02/2012**--The first Certification training division-wide was completed which included for teachers from National City Adult School and San Ysidro Adult School. Six teachers and a classroom assistant were certified by Michael Lewis in collaboration with Courtney Granillo in Pre Assessment screening for Irlen Syndrome. The trainees are Eileen Peca, Sarah Mclinden, Cynthia Sharp, Adrienne Medina, Mary Murphy-Clagett, Erica Dibello-Hitta and Maria Mendez-Castro.====