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.
UPDATE: This law was renamed and extended in 2019 (SB 37). The amendments provide renames the Interventions for Reading Difficulties Pilot Program as the Interventions for Reading Difficulties Program; repeals outdated provisions related to the program modifies requirements related to the program; and extends the sunset date for the program from July 1, 2019, to July 1, 2024.