Two proposed bills advocating for a reform on instruction for students with dyslexia are slated to be voted on. Critics argue that more needs to be done.
This story was published by the Bridge Michigan. It outlines two proposed bills that work to push back on deadlines, clarify the type of classroom instruction that would be permitted for students with dyslexia, as well as adjust requirements for teacher preparation programs. The bills are lined up to be voted on by the Senate. If they are passed, they will go to the House.
The article details what each bill entails. One of the bills was introduced by Senator Jeff Irwin from Ann Arbor and would require schools to screen all students for characteristics of dyslexia. In addition, this bill would require reading instruction based on the science of research studies that are tailored to students' individual needs. The second bill, introduced by Canton and Livonia Senator Dayna Polehanki, would set firmer standards for teacher preparation programs to provide them with an enhanced knowledge of best practices for supporting students with dyslexia.
The supporters of the bills assert that not only will the legislation help students with dyslexia, it will also be beneficial to all students who are learning to read. The bills would require that schools and colleges utilize early literacy instruction programs that emphasize phonics as well as building background knowledge on reading and vocabulary. However, while there are many supporters of the updated legislation, many critics argue that more needs to be done to both improve decreasing test scores and support the state's struggling readers.
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