School districts would need to screen students for characteristics of dyslexia under a bill package heading to the Michigan House of Representatives.
The state Senate advanced the legislation Wednesday. It would also require schools to provide tiered support to students showing dyslexic traits.
Republican Senator Jim Runestad says students who don’t receive early help fall behind:
“The outcomes are not good if they haven’t had early intervention. If they’re in the high school, you’re going to sit this child down and then first get them all sounding out letters and going through the… It is such an awesome undertaking. I mean, we’ve done a disservice for decades and decades.”
Michigan law does require schools to conduct reading assessments and provide individual plans for children who show a deficiency.
But supporters of the bill package argue the state isn’t doing enough to address the needs of dyslexic students.