Bills to screen students for characteristics of dyslexia receive bipartisan and nearly unanimous support in Senate
LANSING, Mich. (Sept. 26, 2024) — Today, the Michigan Senate finalized Senate Bills 567 and 568, comprehensive legislation to improve reading in Michigan. The bills now head to the governor’s desk for her signature into law. Sponsored by Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) and Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia), the legislation will help identify children who show signs of dyslexia and provide evidence-based interventions so they can achieve literacy.
“Every student in Michigan deserves the support they need to learn to read,” said Sen. Irwin. “By equipping our teachers with the evidence-based tools they need to help students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties, we can improve literacy scores and position our young people for success in school and beyond. This is sound, scientifically-backed policy that is good for students, good for classrooms, and good for Michigan.”
Dyslexia is a hereditary reading disability that affects up to 1 in 5 kids in each classroom. Students with dyslexia who go undiagnosed and don’t receive interventions are more likely to struggle in school. Studies show that individuals with dyslexia who receive high-quality, phonics-based instruction early on will go on to become average readers.
“For too long, kids struggling to read have been overlooked or misunderstood, when in reality, they were dyslexic—and can achieve literacy if they get the right training,” said Sen. Polehanki. “I am ecstatic that Michigan is joining this growing movement across the nation to screen for characteristics of dyslexia and help identify and eliminate this barrier to reading.”
Sen. Irwin and Sen. Polehanki’s legislation will require schools to screen students for reading difficulties that are characteristic of dyslexia and better prepare teachers to identify dyslexia and employ evidence-based methods of reading instruction and intervention. The bills had bipartisan cosponsors and passed with a nearly unanimous vote in the Senate. The widespread support for the legislation also includes the Michigan Dept. of Education, Michigan Association of School Social Workers, Detroit Public Schools, United Way for Southeastern Michigan, the Michigan League for Public Policy, as well as students, parents and educators.
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