A legislative task force charged with making recommendations to improve the level of services offered to students with dyslexia will unveil its report at the end of the month. State Rep. Kathryn Swan, who chairs the Legislative Task Force on Dyslexia, and her fellow task force members will discuss their findings and recommendations during a press conference in the House Lounge of the State Capitol, 1 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 31.
The task force was created in 2016 to study and make recommendations for a statewide system to address the needs of students with dyslexia. The 21-member task force includes four lawmakers as well as educators, therapists and citizens with experience with dyslexia. The final report produced by the task force is the result of public testimony, discussions and deliberations. Swan noted that the report includes three major recommendations for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education regarding screening, classroom supports, and professional development for teachers. Additional recommendations are included for evidence-based reading Instruction, intervention systems, teacher certification, and the reporting of data.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must develop guidelines for appropriate screening of students for dyslexia and related disorders and for necessary classroom support by Dec. 31, 2017.