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California Senator Anthony Portantino has recently introduced a piece of legislation that is passed, would require all elementary schools in the jurisdiction to implement a compulsory dyslexia screening.
Senate Bill 237 would, if passed, mandate the State Board of Education to provide dyslexia screening facilities to schools in time for the 2022-2023 school year. It would also require the schools to use the equipment annually, in order to identify students with literacy difficulties and provide them with the support they need.
Portantino himself has been diagnosed with dyslexia, as well as ADHD, and is an advocate for making the school experience more accessible for every pupil. The legislation is designed to improve test scores and normalise literacy difficulties in the classroom, as well as improve overall graduation rates and make sure pupils don’t get left behind when it comes to graduation. If passed, the bill would see California join states like Texas, Ohio, and Florida, whose state education agency’s dyslexia legislation includes screening requirements.
We're excited to see what happens! Compulsory screening means that children with dyslexia are more likely to be identified, and then get access to the help and support they need to succeed in education.
You can find out exactly what the dyslexia legislation is in your own state at https://improvingliteracy.org/state-of-dyslexia.
UPDATE: We're delighted to say that Senator Portantino's dyslexia legislation has passed! Senate Bill 237 was approved with bipartisan support on the 10th of March 2021. This means that as of today, many more children all over California will be able to have their literacy differences formally identified, and go on to receive all the considerations and the reading support that they need. You can find out more at Pasadena Now.
