VAIL APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF DYSLEXIA LEGISLATION

HARTFORD-State Rep. Kurt Vail (R-52) hailed a bill designed to help the thousands of Connecticut children struggling with reading skills due to dyslexia.

The legislation, SB 317, An Act Concerning Dyslexia, ensures that educators seeking endorsement as a remedial reading, remedial language arts, or reading specialist be equipped to engage and educate students with dyslexia. Following enactment of this legislation, affected teachers will need to complete a reading and language diagnosis and remediation program of study. Educators will receive instruction, including supervised practicum hours, on the diagnosis and remediation of Dyslexia, aligned with evidenced-based structured literacy interventions that have been proven to help these students become better readers.

“It is imperative that teachers know the indicators of dyslexia to aid in the process of early diagnosis. When dyslexia is identified and addressed at an earlier age it undoubtedly enhances the classroom learning environment for all,” said Rep. Vail. “Early detection of a child with a learning disability is critical in providing a curriculum that is best tailored to that student and assisting that student to reach their potential.”

Dyslexia is defined as a learning disability that affects reading, specifically spelling and word recognition. Dyslexia is a neurobiological disorder and is often inconsistent with a student’s other cognitive abilities. It is estimated that 15-20 percent of children struggle with this condition.

The bill passed unanimously in the House of Representatives and Senate, it now goes to the governor for his signature.

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