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Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC files

State Department of Education (SDE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Joint Memorial 26 requests the SDE recommend a definition of dyslexia along with effective interventions and public school programs. The memorial also request that SDE report its findings to the Legislative Education Study Committee by November 2000.

Significant Issues

The significant issues are well described in the SDE staff analysis which is quoted below:

"This memorial may imply that identifying dyslexia as a separate disability with separate interventions and programs would lead to better educational outcomes. Currently, students with dyslexia are eligible for special education services under the definition learning disabled. Currently, those services are determined by an IEP team which selects appropriate interventions and programs from an array of service options. This memorial may limit service options for students with dyslexia. It is not clear if this memorial is requesting an addition to State Board regulations or the publication of a guidance document."

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

SDE staff from the Special Education Unit will study this issue as part of a broader study concerning the identification of students with learning disabilities.

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