7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Schools Committee presents Douglas Petersen, PhD, BC-CLS
Revolutionizing MTSS for Language: Screening, Intervention and the Leadership Role of SLPs
As state legislation increasingly mandates universal screening for dyslexia, developmental language disorder (DLD)—a condition just as prevalent and equally impactful—remains largely overlooked. This session challenges participants to consider how speech-language pathologists (SLPs) can lead the charge in advocating for equitable, Tier-1 screening of DLD alongside dyslexia within a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS).
Building on this call to action, the session introduces a groundbreaking screening-to-intervention model grounded in equity, precision and instructional alignment. First, all students are administered the DYMOND, a dynamic assessment that identifies students at risk for DLD or dyslexia based on their learning responsiveness rather than static performance. With exceptional sensitivity and specificity, DYMOND offers an equitable, culturally and linguistically responsive approach to identifying true language-based disabilities.
All students also complete the CUBED, a universal benchmark and progress monitoring tool that evaluates whether students are meeting grade-level expectations in language comprehension and word recognition—regardless of why they may be behind. Together, DYMOND and CUBED enable educators to distinguish between students with underlying disorders and those who need intervention due to limited instruction or exposure.
Students identified through either screener are matched to structured language instruction at the appropriate tier. The session will demonstrate how programs like Story Champs deliver Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 intervention using explicit, systematic, and cumulative instruction targeting vocabulary, sentence structure and discourse-level language.
Through this integrated model, SLPs are positioned not only as diagnosticians, but as leaders in transforming MTSS into a valid, equitable and instructionally powerful system for improving language and literacy outcomes for all students.
Learner Outcomes
After completing this course, participants will:
Time-Ordered Agenda
7:00pm–7:10pm
7:10pm–7:30pm
7:30pm–7:45pm
7:45–8:00
8:00pm–8:30pm
About the Presenter
Dr. Petersen is a Professor and the Maggie & Dick Scarlett Endowed Chair in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Wyoming. His interdisciplinary research focuses on advancing the validity and reliability of dynamic assessment and structured literacy interventions for school-age children, particularly those at risk for language and reading disorders. With a background spanning speech-language pathology, education and literacy development, Dr. Petersen is dedicated to improving equitable access to high-quality assessment and instruction for diverse populations. His robust research agenda has resulted in numerous peer-reviewed publications, invited national and international presentations, and the development of widely used assessment tools and interventions. Dr. Petersen values translational science, researcher-practitioner collaboration and the creation of accessible resources that bridge research to real-world educational settings.
Registration
This event is free to PSHA members.
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Continuing Education and Disclosures
Act 48 Clock Hours
PSHA is an approved provider by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to sponsor Continuing Education programs as required by ACT 48. This program is offered for 1.5 clock hours. Individuals attending the program must stay the duration of the program in order to receive Act 48 Professional Education hours.
Satisfactory Completion Requirements:
Certificates of completion will be awarded after active attendance at the entire presentation, submission of a completed evaluation and submission of a completed assessment of learning. There is no partial credit. A link to the online assessment and evaluation will be provided
Disclosures
Financial Disclosures: Douglas Petersen is the co-founder of Language Dynamics Group, LLC, which distributes some of the assessments and interventions that will be discussed in this seminar.
Non-Financial Disclosures: Douglas Petersen has no non-financial disclosures.
May 21, 2025
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
EI Committee Roundtables
This event is free to PSHA members.
Continuing Education hours are not being provided for this event.
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Not a PSHA Member, join now with a 25% discount, and then register for free.
Click here to join PSHA. Use the discount code CC25C at checkout.
May 28, 2025
9:00 am – 10:00 am EST
Private Practice Thematic Event
This event is free to PSHA members.
Continuing Education hours are not being provided for this event.
Click here to login to the Member Center to register.
Not a PSHA Member, join now with a 25% discount, and then register for free.
Click here to join PSHA. Use the discount code CC25C at checkout.