Massachusetts – 2015-2016 – S 312 – Education Needs of Children with Dyslexia

MassAn Act to address the special education needs of children with dyslexia.  Creates and sets standard for an  educational specialization in dyslexia for teachers. Requires that a child who has been determined by evaluation to have dyslexia,the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team hall consider and specifically address access to evidence-based, sequenced, explicit multisensory reading instruction; access to assistive technology; and access to teachers and teaching assistants who have obtained the dyslexia teaching endorsement.

US Dept. of Education – 2015 – Dyslexia Guidance

US-DeptOfEducation-SealThe U.S.Department of Education has issued a new “Dear Colleague” letter clarifying the responsibilities of educators in providing services to children with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This official communication was issued on October 23, 2015, in response to complaints that State and local educational agencies are are reluctant to use these specific terms in the context of developing an IEP.

The purpose of the letter is to clarify that “there is nothing in the IDEA that would prohibit the use of the terms dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia in the IDEA evaluation, eligibility determinations, or IEP documents.”

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Utah – 2015 – SB 117 – Reading Intervention Pilot Program

Utah

This bill creates a pilot program to provide interventions for students at risk for, or experiencing, reading difficulties, including dyslexia.  The pilot program includes  professional development for educators; and literacy interventions to students in kindergarten through grade 5 who are at risk for or experiencing reading difficulties, including dyslexia.  The bill also  provides criteria for the State Board of Education to use in selecting local education agencies to participate in the pilot program; defines requirements for local education agencies that participate in the pilot  program; and provides for a third-party evaluation.

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Rhode Island – 2015 – HR 6109 – Extending Dyslexia Commission

Rhode IslandReinstating and extending the commission life and amending the membership of the special legislative commission to assess and make recommendations on the educational needs of children with dyslexia and/or reading disabilities.  This resolution  increase the membership of said commission with the addition of two (2) new members, one of whom would be a licensed psychologist, and both of whom would be appointed by the speaker of the house. The act also reinstates and extends the reporting and expiration dates of the special legislative commission.

Oregon – 2015 – SB 612 – Dyslexia Provisions

OregonDirects Department of Education to develop plan to provide dyslexia screening and guidance for parental notification. Requires school districts to ensure that at least one kindergarten through grade five teacher per kindergarten through grade five school receives training related to dyslexia. Allows school districts to receive funding for training through Network of Quality Teaching and Learning. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Nevada – 2015 – AB 341 – Testing for Dyslexia

NevadaAN ACT relating to education; requiring each school district and certain charter schools to administer an early literacy screening assessment to certain pupils; authorizing certain persons to perform additional testing for dyslexia; requiring a school district and a charter school to address the needs of a pupil who has indicators for dyslexia through the response to scientific, research-based intervention system of instruction; requiring the individualized education program team of a pupil with dyslexia to consider certain instructional approaches;

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