Requires all school districts to screen all students for dyslexia and dysgraphia; requires school districts to provide notice of such screening to each student and to the parent or guardian of each student; allows parents and guardians to opt out.
Summary
This bill would amend the Education Law to require the Commissioner of Education to direct all school districts in New York to screen all students for dyslexia and dysgraphia. The screening would have to occur before a student enters kindergarten, making early identification of these learning differences a statewide requirement rather than a local option.
The bill also requires school districts to notify each student and the parent or guardian of the screening. The notice must clearly describe the screening methods and must give parents or guardians the ability to opt out by checking a box stating, “do not screen my child.” The bill would take effect 180 days after becoming law.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would add a new statewide screening mandate to Section 305 of the Education Law and place implementation responsibility on the Commissioner of Education and local school districts. It would affect all public school districts by requiring universal dyslexia and dysgraphia screening, along with parent notification and an opt-out process, and would likely require districts to adopt or expand early literacy and special education identification procedures.
Sentiment
No committee transcript or vote record is available for this bill, so there is no documented legislative debate or recorded sentiment in the provided materials. Based on the bill text, the measure appears focused on early identification and parental notice, with an opt-out provision that may help address privacy or parental-choice concerns.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the balance between universal early screening and parental control. Supporters would likely emphasize early detection of dyslexia and dysgraphia and the educational benefits of identifying students sooner, while opponents or cautious stakeholders may raise concerns about mandatory screening burdens, implementation costs for districts, screening accuracy, and the adequacy of the opt-out process. Because no transcripts or votes are provided, no specific legislator or stakeholder positions are documented here.
Requires all school districts to screen all students for dyslexia and dysgraphia; requires school districts to provide notice of such screening to each student and to the parent or guardian of each student; allows parents and guardians to opt out.
Requires school districts to screen for gifted and talented students; provides the parents or guardians of such students the option to opt out of such screening.
Requires school districts to screen for gifted and talented students; provides the parents or guardians of such students the option to opt out of such screening.
Requires school districts to screen for gifted and talented students; provides the parents or guardians of such students the option to opt out of such screening.
Requires school districts to screen for gifted and talented students; provides the parents or guardians of such students the option to opt out of such screening.
Education; dyslexia screenings; increasing when screenings are given for certain students; requiring the Department of Education to notify parents of the option to request dyslexia screening; effective date.
Requires school districts to conduct mandatory early screening for dyslexia for all children commencing in pre-kindergarten or kindergarten and continuing thereafter on an annual basis until each child successfully completes second grade; requires school districts to designate an individual to maintain complete and accurate records containing early screening reports for each child, and to provide resources and materials to the parent and/or guardian of any child who displays indications of dyslexia.
Requires school districts to conduct mandatory early screening for dyslexia for all children commencing in pre-kindergarten or kindergarten and continuing thereafter on an annual basis until each child successfully completes second grade; requires school districts to designate an individual to maintain complete and accurate records containing early screening reports for each child, and to provide resources and materials to the parent and/or guardian of any child who displays indications of dyslexia.