What's happening
This bill requires all New York school districts to conduct annual early dyslexia screenings for children from pre-kindergarten through second grade.
Why it matters
Early identification means earlier help. By mandating annual screenings in pre-K through second grade, the bill aims to catch dyslexia and related learning disabilities at the time when interventions are most effective, potentially reducing long-term academic struggles for affected children.
Standardized, digital assessment for consistency. The required use of a digital assessment tool ensures that all districts use reliable, targeted questions, which can lead to more consistent identification and support across New York State, minimizing disparities between schools.
Transparency and engagement for families and teachers. Screening results must be shared with parents, guardians, and educators, promoting early collaboration and awareness, which can empower families to seek support and help teachers tailor instruction to student needs.
Ongoing tracking and resource provision. School districts must designate someone to keep comprehensive records and provide resources to families of children who show signs of dyslexia, ensuring that students don’t slip through the cracks and that parents have guidance on next steps.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Screen Kids Early for Dyslexia
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
21 Co-sponsors
3 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to education
- Print number 5259a
- Amend and recommit to education
- Referred to education
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.
Screen Kids Early for Dyslexia
In Senate Committee · Education · Sponsor John E. Brooks
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5259--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 8, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. SIMON, GALEF, SIMOTAS, LiPETRI, THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to mandatory early screening for dyslexia
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 319 to read as follows:
§ 319. Mandatory early screening for dyslexia. 1. All school districts shall be required to conduct full and individual screenings in accordance with this section for purposes of early identification, support, intervention and accommodation of children with dyslexia and other learning disabilities. For purposes of this section, the term "dyslexia" means a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin and that is characterized by unexpected difficulties with accurate or fluent word recognition and poor spelling and decoding abilities, which difficulty typically results from a deficit in the phonological component of language and that is inconsistent with the person's intelligence, motivation, and sensory capabilities and the provision of effective instruction.
2. Mandatory early screening for dyslexia shall be conducted by each school district using a digital assessment tool that includes targeted questions designed to quickly and reliably gather certain relevant functional and developmental information from all children described in this subdivision. Mandatory early screening shall commence during prekindergarten or kindergarten, whichever is earlier, and shall continue thereafter on an annual basis until such child has successfully completed the second grade.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08780-04-9
A. 5259--A 2
3. Upon completion of the administration of each mandatory early screening, a copy of each early screening report and any other findings shall be given to the parent and/or guardian and teachers and teaching assistants of each child, and the individual designated in subdivision four of this section.
4. Each school district shall designate an individual to maintain complete and accurate records, including copies of each early screening report, for all children for the duration of each child's educational pursuit or until such child reaches the age of sixteen, whichever is later. The designated individual shall provide resources and materials to the parent and/or guardian of any child who displays low phonemic awareness and other indications of dyslexia.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.