Senate Passes Teaching Practices Bill from Local Legislators

RELEASE FROM 1ST DISTRICT LEGISLATORS:
Bill Inspired by Ocean City Student Now Poised to Become Law
(TRENTON) – Legislation Senator Jeff Van Drew and Assemblymen Nelson Albano and Matt Milam sponsored to promote best practices for teaching students with reading disabilities and difficulties with language skills today passed by the Senate, clearing it to be signed into law by the Governor.
The lawmakers’ effort was inspired by Samantha Ravelli, a sixth grader from Ocean City Intermediate School who was able to overcome severe dyslexia through specialized reading courses. Since beginning the specialized curriculum two years ago, Sammy has since made the honor roll and has become more involved in student activities.
“Special education classes are too costly and inappropriate for students who, like Sammy, are only being held back because of a reading disability,” said Van Drew. “Rather than providing generic special ed to kids who should be classified differently, we must focus our limited educational resources to meet the students’ unique needs. This task force would play a vitally important role in building greater educational opportunities for reading-disabled students.”
“Having the ability to read is vital to succeeding in school and getting a good job,” said Albano. “We need to redouble our efforts to ensure that every child is able to read and to overcome difficulties that can lessen their future prospects for success.”
The bill (A-880/S-2400) would create the New Jersey Reading Disabilities Task Force to study best practices for diagnosing, treating and educating students with reading disabilities. The task force also would examine how state educational laws and regulations impact students with special reading and language skill needs.
“Special education teachers need the full support of state leaders who recognize the need for every classroom to implement the best and most successful practices,” said Milam. “Ensuring that every student has access to the tools they need to be successful in the classroom will increase the likelihood that they will become successful adults.”
About 85 percent of students in special education classrooms are language- or reading-deficient. Many students also do not receive proper training to overcome their deficiency. The task force’s overarching goal would be to identify new practices and strategies to provide greater educational benefits to special needs students.
The lawmakers said that doing a better job of reaching out to students with reading disabilities early in their education to provide them a foundation to achieve their maximum potential, would save money in the long-run on unnecessary special education expenses.
With the Senate’s 39-0 vote, the bill now heads to the Governor, who may sign it, veto it, or modify it in the form of a conditional veto.