An 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.
Month: October 2015
US Dept. of Education – 2015 – Dyslexia Guidance
The 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.”
Arizona – 2015 – SB 1461 – Reading Assistance for Dyslexic Pupils
SB 1461 establishes exemptions to Move on When Reading competency requirements for students in the process of being placed in special education and students diagnosed with a reading impairment. This bill prevents dyslexic students from being denied promotion to the next grade because of their reading difficulties.
Utah – 2015 – SB 117 – Reading Intervention Pilot Program
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.
Rhode Island – 2015 – HR 6109 – Extending Dyslexia Commission
Reinstating 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
Directs 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
AN 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;
Mississippi – 2015 – HCR 33 – Resolution on Dyslexia
A concurrent resolution urging all schools and state and local educational agencies to recognize significant educational implications of dyslexia and to take the necessary actions to address the learning needs and quality of services provided to those affected.