Rep. France Supports More In-Depth Educator Training on Dyslexia

HARTFORD – State Rep. Mike France (R-42) co-sponsored a bill this session to help further train teachers working with students with Dyslexia.

An Act Concerning Dyslexia, Public Act 16-92, will support students with dyslexia through the establishment of further requirements for teachers seeking a certification endorsement as a remedial reading, remedial language arts or reading consultant. The requirements include:

• Complete a reading and language diagnosis and remediation program (includes practicum) that will specifically teach applicants to detect and intervene with students struggling with dyslexia, and
• Complete current requirement of State Board of Education (SBE)-approved reading instruction exam or comparable exam.

“Young students adjusting to in-class and homework assignments in the early primary grades can be especially challenged if they struggle to read and understand due to dyslexia,” said Rep. France. “We want to make sure that nothing holds them back from getting the education they deserve, including early identification and intervention for reading comprehension issues such as dyslexia. This bill will directly benefit students as we will be reinforcing their teacher’s ability to help them succeed.”

The bill’s provisions will become effective July 1, 2017.

Rep. France represents the 42nd district of Ledyard, Preston and Montville.