What's happening
This bill directs the education commissioner to issue guidance to schools on addressing the needs of students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia.
Why it matters
Promotes Early and Accurate Identification. By clarifying that schools can explicitly use the terms dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia in evaluations and IEPs, the bill may help ensure that students with these learning differences are more accurately identified and supported, rather than having their needs overlooked or misclassified.
Aligns with Federal Regulations. The guidance will reinforce that referencing these specific conditions is consistent with federal law (IDEA), helping schools avoid confusion or reluctance to use these terms due to misunderstandings about compliance.
Encourages Stakeholder Collaboration. Requiring the commissioner to work with stakeholders and interested parties in developing the guidance ensures that input from educators, families, and experts informs how schools address these learning needs, potentially leading to more practical and effective support strategies.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Inform Schools on Learning Differences
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Substituted by A8262
- Ordered to third reading cal.1971
- Referred to rules
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Inform Schools on Learning Disabilities
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Jo Anne Simon
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6581
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
June 5, 2017
Introduced by Sen. GOLDEN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to directing the commissioner of education to issue a guidance memorandum to every school district and board of cooperative educational services to inform them of the unique educational needs of students with dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 305 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 56 to read as follows:
56. The commissioner shall issue a guidance memorandum in cooperation with stakeholders and other interested parties, to every school district and board of cooperative educational services to inform them of the unique educational needs of students with dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia and to clarify that school districts may reference or use the terms dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia in evaluations, eligibility determinations, or in developing an individualized education program (IEP) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) pursuant to part 300 of title 34 of the code of federal regulations, as such regulations may, from time to time, be amended.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however the guidance memorandum required pursuant to section one of this act shall be issued no later than one year after this act shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13038-03-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to directing the commissioner of education to issue a guidance memorandum to every school district and board of cooperative educational services to inform them of the unique educational needs of students with dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia to issue a guidance memorandum to every school district and board of cooperative educational services to inform them of the unique educational needs of students with dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this bill is to inform school districts about the unique educational needs of students with dyslexia and other related disorders.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends Education Law section 305 to require the Commissioner of Education to issue a guidance memorandum to every school district and BOCES to inform them of the unique educational needs of students with dyslexia and other related disorders and to clarify that school districts may reference or use the terms dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia in evaluations, eligibility determinations or in developing an IEP.
Section 2 provides for the effective date.
Justification
The federal Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) classifies dyslexia as a specific learning disability, however, school districts have been reluctant to reference dyslexia and other related disorders when developing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). In October 2015, the U.S. Department of Education, issued guidance to "clarify that there is nothing in the IDEA that would prohibit the use of the terms dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia in IDEA evaluation, eligibility determinations, or IEP documents." This bill would help inform school districts and BOCES about the educational needs of students with dyslexia, so that early interventions and services can be provided to help these children become proficient readers.
Prior legislative history
New bill
Fiscal implications
Unknown.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.