Bills to help students with Dyslexia advance to floor

Senate Education committee unanimously approved bills to provide critical help for students with dyslexia this week, clearing the way for the legislation to be considered by the full Senate.

Additionally, funding in the state's budget has created a program to train teachers on how to provide proper multi-sensory instruction for children with dyslexia. Schools looking to train teachers can apply through the Department.

"Michigan has had no statewide strategy to help students with dyslexia. Getting these bills to the finish line has been one of my top priorities for two terms now," stated state Sen. Jim Runestad, R - White Lake. "We have worked hard to put these bipartisan bills together with top experts on dyslexia and advice from many key stakeholders, including testimony from parents and students."

According to the Michigan Alliance for Special Education, about one in five students has a reading disorder. It is estimated that a majority of these students may have some form of dyslexia, a minimum of 5% to 10% of the population, which is between 108,000 to 217,000 children in Michigan alone.

If passed by the state Senate and House and signed by the Governor, the bills would do the following:

SB 380, which would require school districts to screen students in grades K-3 (and certain students in grades 4-12) for reading difficulties using a universal screening assessment. If the assessment shows a child is having trouble learning to decode, the school district must ensure support is provided in the form of a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS).

SB 381, which would require teacher preparation institutions to offer instruction on the characteristics of dyslexia, the consequences of dyslexia, evidence-based interventions and accommodations for children with dyslexia, and methods to develop a classroom infrastructure that meets the needs of students with an MTSS in place.

SB 382, which would require that professional level teaching certificates are only issued after an individual has received instruction on the six areas outlined in SB 381.
SB 383, would establish a resource advisory committee of experts to provide resources to teachers and parents.