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.
Summary
This bill would add a new section to the Education Law requiring every school district in New York to conduct mandatory early screening for dyslexia and related reading-risk indicators. Screening would begin in pre-kindergarten or kindergarten, whichever comes first, and continue annually through the end of second grade. The bill defines dyslexia and directs districts to use assessment tools that are valid, reliable, and aligned with reading science and developmental benchmarks, with training and coaching provided to teachers to support proper administration.
The bill also requires districts to give screening reports and related findings to parents or guardians, as well as to teachers and teaching assistants for children identified as at risk for reading failure. Each district must designate an individual to maintain records of screening reports for each child through the child’s educational career or until age sixteen, whichever is later, and to provide resources and materials to families when a child shows signs such as low phonemic awareness. Districts must use screening results proactively by providing evidence-based instruction and intervention when risk is identified.
Impact
The bill would create a new statewide mandate in the Education Law for universal early dyslexia screening in public school districts, expanding district responsibilities for assessment, recordkeeping, parent notification, and intervention. It would affect students in pre-K through second grade, school administrators, teachers, teaching assistants, and families, and would likely require districts to adopt approved screening tools, train staff, and establish procedures for follow-up services and documentation.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad bipartisan appeal based on its sponsors, who include senators from both parties, and its focus on early identification and support for struggling readers. The available context shows no recorded committee debate or votes, so there is no documented opposition in the materials provided. Overall, the measure is framed as a student-support and literacy initiative rather than a controversial policy change.
Contention
The main policy questions raised by the bill are operational rather than ideological: which screening tools will be approved, how districts will train staff and ensure fidelity to the assessment model, and how much administrative burden and cost the recordkeeping and annual screening requirements will impose on schools. Another potential point of concern is the handling of student data and the long retention period for screening records. No specific opponents or formal objections are identified in the provided materials.
Same As
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.
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 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 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.