2015 -- H 5582

========

LC001416

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - RHODE ISLAND VISION EDUCATION AND SERVICES

PROGRAM

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Lombardi, Amore, Hull, McKiernan, and Williams

     Date Introduced: February 25, 2015

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1

     Section 1. Chapter 16-26.1 of the General Laws entitled "Rhode Island Vision Education

2

and Services Program" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

3

     16-26.1-6. Dyslexia regulations to be adopted. -- (a) Findings of fact. The general

4

assembly finds and declares as follows:

5

     (1) Dyslexia has significant educational implications that must be addressed;

6

     (2) Dyslexia adversely affects a child's educational performance;

7

     (3) Dyslexia is highly prevalent, affecting one out of five (5) individuals in some form,

8

and is persistent;

9

     (4) Dyslexia is a paradox, so that often the same individual who has a weakness in

10

decoding or reading fluency also has strengths in higher level cognitive functions such as

11

reasoning, critical thinking, concept formation, and problem solving;

12

     (5) Great progress has been made in understanding dyslexia at a scientific level,

13

including its epidemiology, and cognitive and neurobiological bases; and

14

     (6) The diagnosis of dyslexia is critical, and must lead to focused, evidence-based

15

interventions, necessary accommodations, self-awareness, self-empowerment, and school and life

16

success.

17

     (b) Regulations incorporating a definition of dyslexia.

18

     (1) The state council on elementary and secondary education shall promulgate rules and

 

1

regulations that incorporate the definition of dyslexia that is set forth in subsection (b)(2) of this

2

section, as well as the findings set forth in subsection (a) of this section.

3

     (2) For purposes of this section, "dyslexia" shall be defined as an unexpected difficulty

4

in reading and spelling in an individual who has normal intelligence. Dyslexia reflects difficulty

5

in phonological processing (understanding the sounds of spoken language), which typically

6

impacts speaking, reading, spelling, and often, learning a second language.

7

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC001416

========

 

LC001416 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - RHODE ISLAND VISION EDUCATION AND SERVICES

PROGRAM

***

1

     This act would make certain findings about dyslexia and would establish a definition of

2

"dyslexia". This act would also direct the council on elementary and secondary education to

3

promulgate rules and regulations to incorporate this definition and findings.

4

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC001416

========

 

LC001416 - Page 3 of 3