Kanjorski Tours Facility and Speaks with Students About His Own Struggles

SCRANTON - Today, Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) announced that he helped secure $73,000 in federal funds for the Allied Services dePaul School in Scranton.  The dePaul School provides a specific curriculum for dyslexic students between the ages of 7 and 14.   The funds will be used for textbooks, computers and software, continuing education, instructional technology, curriculum development, and diagnostic and evaluative testing of students.   The Congressman also toured the school facility and met with the school's senior staff.

"Every student should have the opportunity to achieve his or her dreams," said Congressman Kanjorski.  "I personally understand the hardships of trying to cope with dyslexia, as I faced them myself.  Though, with the right application and education, as is provided at the dePaul School, these students have many chances to excel and become lawyers, doctors, teachers, or anything else - even a Member of Congress.  I greatly appreciate the dedicated work of the teachers and faculty at dePaul.  Their efforts to improve the school deeply impact the lives of every attending student."

"We are very grateful for everything that Congressman Kanjorski has done for us," said Jackie Brozena.  "With this funding, we will expand free diagnostic testing for people in the community, provide advanced teacher training, and expand some of our computer programs.  These initiatives would not be possible without the help of the Congressman.  We greatly appreciate his interest and active support, and you cannot imagine the effect that he has on the kids when he comes to visit.  You cannot place a value on that."

According to the dePaul School, experts estimate that between 5 - 8 percent of the population has dyslexia, but special educational programs for dyslexic children and adults are not generally available in Northeastern Pennsylvania. 

The dePaul School provides a structured, full-day program that emphasizes individual and small group instruction.  It equips students with the strategies, skills and self-confidence that will help them succeed when they return to conventional public and private school classrooms.  The dePaul School is Northeastern Pennsylvania's only organization devoted exclusively to the special learning challenges of dyslexic children, and its enrollment is drawn from communities throughout the region.

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