CT State Rep. Staneski Supports Dyslexia Education Bill

From CT State Rep Pam Staneski: State Rep. Pam Staneski (R-119) strongly supported a bill in the House of Representatives this week that looks to improve the quality of education received by students with dyslexia.

Rep. Staneski, who is a co-sponsor of the legislation said, “The new program of study will ensure that children with dyslexia receive the proper education they require and not leave them isolated in the classroom.”

Rep. Staneski continued by saying, “This new evidence-based structured literacy will enable teachers to be better trained and more effective in teaching and identifying students with dyslexia.”

The bill requires teachers applying for certification for Special Education endorsement complete a program of study in the diagnosis and remediation of reading and language arts that includes supervised practicum hours and instruction in the detection and recognition of, and evidence-based structured literacy interventions for, students with dyslexia.

The bill received support from Allison Quirion, the founder of Decoding Dyslexia-CT who testified at the Education committee’s public hearing stating Connecticut students with dyslexia are increasing while their test scores are decreasing and dyslexic students who do not have their dyslexia properly treated increase their risk of committing crime. The bill insures that students with dyslexia are properly educated.

The legislation, HB 7254, An Act Requiring Special Education Teachers to Complete A Program of Study In Evidence-Based Structured Literacy Interventions for Students With Dyslexia passed the House 136-0 and now heads to the State Senate for further action.

Image Courtesy of CT State Reps