Testimony: Dyslexia and Other Reading Disabilities Screening and Prevention Pilot Program Act of 2019
Many Children’s Law Center clients have learning disabilities and special education needs. We believe that it is of paramount importance that children are universally screened for disabilities – including Dyslexia – as early as possible to ensure they have the greatest chance to meet their educational goals.
That is why Policy Analyst Elizabeth Oquendo testified in support of B23-0150 – the Dyslexia and Other Reading Disabilities Screening and Prevention Pilot Program Act of 2019 (“The Act”). The Act will create a universal screening for children in PreK through grade 3 to identify reading disabilities including dyslexia, provide additional professional development for teachers, and allow intervention to begin as early as possible.
We believe that this Act will help to identify children with reading disabilities and dyslexia sooner by using universal screening, provide additional supports for teachers through professional development, and improve literacy for our public school students. In her testimony, Elizabeth recommends that the Act also require OSSE invite all public elementary schools to submit a proposal to participate in the pilot program and include a parent questionnaire. Children’s Law Center also urged the Committee consider the addition of a Task Force to ensure that the pilot program is developed and implemented using best practices and with input from key stakeholders.
Read the full testimony here.