Bill to Adopt Internationally Recognized Definition of Dyslexia Now Law

TRENTON — Legislation sponsored by Senator Jeff Van Drew and Senate Education Chair M. Teresa Ruiz requiring the state to incorporate the International Dyslexia Association’s definition of dyslexia into special education regulations, part of a four-bill packaged aimed at bettering the system for diagnosing dyslexia and other reading disabilities in children and providing better educational support, has been signed into law by Governor Chris Christie.
“With this law, New Jersey will adopt the international standard which will make sure that forever we have ground to stand on in our effort to ensure that dyslexia is recognized and schools continue to provide educational support to children who are struggling with this reading disability,” said Senator Van Drew (D-Cape May/Cumberland/Atlantic). “It is our hope that never again will a parent have to hear someone in a school system say ‘There is no such thing or we’re not able to help you with that.’”
The law (S-2439) will implement a recommendation of the New Jersey Reading Disabilities Task Force, which issued its recommendations in August of 2012. The task force was formed by legislation sponsored by Senator Van Drew in response to advocacy efforts of an Ocean City family that fought for years to improve New Jersey’s education system. Beth Ravelli and her daughter Samantha, who was diagnosed with dyslexia through private testing, have been pushing for awareness of the challenges facing those with reading disabilities since they moved from Weymouth Township to Ocean City in an effort to obtain better services. This is the second bill signed this week stemming from their advocacy.
Currently, State Board of Education regulations list dyslexia as one of the specific learning disabilities that may impair a person’s ability to understand or use language, or perform mathematical calculations. However, the regulations do not specifically define dyslexia. Under the law signed today, the State Board of Education will incorporate the International Dyslexia Association definition.
“This law will ensure that dyslexia is recognized globally by our school districts and provide the basis for educational programs designed to specifically meet the needs of students,” said Senator Ruiz (D-Essex). “Paired with our work to ensure that educators are better prepared to recognize dyslexia and to provide stronger supports to our students, this is a major step forward.”
The other bills in the package included:
• (Senate Committee Substitute for S2440/S2441) requires the Department of Education to provide professional development to certain educators; also requires that certain school personnel annually dedicate two hours of their required professional development to the screening, intervention, accommodation and use of technology for students with reading disabilities, including dyslexia. Signed into law.
• S2442 – Require that each student enrolled in a school district is screened for dyslexia and other reading disabilities no later than the student’s completion of the first grade; students who would have been enrolled in kindergarten or first grade during or after the 2013-2014 school year who initially enroll in the district in grades two through six would also have to be screened when there is no record of prior screening. Approved by Senate.
• SR91 – Urge the State Board of Education to develop an endorsement to the instructional certificate for teachers of students with reading disabilities and to establish eligibility and training requirements for the endorsement; the resolution would direct the BOE to work with colleges and universities in the development of instructional programs for candidates for the endorsement. A State endorsement to the instructional certificate for teachers of students with dyslexia will help ensure that children in New Jersey who struggle with this learning disability have access to teachers specifically trained in appropriate instructional methods to help them learn and achieve at their fullest potential. Signed by the President of the Senate and attested by the Secretary, and copies transmitted to each member of the State Board of Education.
“Education is the biggest expenditure in the state budget and still students are falling through the cracks without getting the services they need,” said Senator Van Drew. “This is a travesty for the children and their parents, many of whom are working relentlessly to get their children the support they need and that they deserve in our public school system. We have made major progress with the signing of two bills recommended by the task force. It is my hope that we will continue the momentum forward so that we can one day provide dyslexia screening to children within our schools. This is important, because we know that early and appropriate intervention is critical to creating a strong learning environment for our students.”