2017 Legislation

SB 1003

The legislature has put forth a new dyslexia bill to address the need to screen for the risk factors of dyslexia. In 2015, SB 612 required Oregon Department of Education (ODE) to develop a plan for universal screening of the risk factors of dyslexia and present that plan to the legislature. This new legislation was developed as the next steps and follow-up to that plan.

Requirements of this new legislation (SB 1003):

  • SB 1003 requires school districts to screen for the risk factors for reading difficulties, including dyslexia beginning in the 2018-19 school year for students first enrolled in kindergarten or first grade.
  • The screening administered to students to identify children at risk for dyslexia or reading difficulties must take into account the following factors: (A) Phonological awareness; (B) Rapid naming skills; (C) The correspondence between sounds and letters; and (D) Family history of difficulty in learning to read, if the student shows risk factors for reading difficulties, including dyslexia.
  • ODE shall provide guidance to school districts for notifications to be sent to parents of students who are identified as at risk through the screening process.
  • ODE shall develop guidance regarding best practices for assisting students who are identified at being at risk for reading difficulties, including dyslexia. The department shall make the guidance available to school districts.
  • In addition, this bill extends the timeline that requires each K-5 school to have at least one teacher to receive training related to dyslexia. Previously, SB 612 required this training to be competed by Jan 2018. SB 1003 states that this training shall occur before the 2018-19 school year.

To track the progress of SB 1003 – click here!

SB 221

In 2015, HB 2412 was passed to ensure that teacher preparation programs for early childhood education, elementary education, special education or reading require instruction on dyslexia.

The legislature has put forth a new dyslexia bill to ensure that teacher preparation programs require instruction on reading difficulties, including dyslexia. A slightly distinction not previously noted in HB 2412. SB 221 further clarifies that instruction relating to dyslexia must be consistent with the knowledge and practice standards of an international organization on dyslexia.

SB 221 allows educational institutions 3 years from passage of this bill to change or adapt their program. The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) may not deny approval of an educator programs if the program: (a) develops a plan to comply with the standards and rules; and (b) submits the plan to the commission within one year of the commission adopting the standards and rules.  Please note that this is a one year extension from HB 2412.

Read the full bill text and track its progress.