STATEHOUSE — State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) authored House Bill (HB) 1108, which passed the Senate Education and Career Development Committee unanimously. The bill more clearly defines dyslexia and provides resources for teachers to more easily identify the disorder in students.
The Indiana chapter of Decoding Dyslexia, an organization that promotes awareness of the disorder, visited the Statehouse in support of the bill.
“I think it is so important to train classroom teachers on what to look for, but first and foremost it is important to define it,” said Decoding Dyslexia member Nanci Perry. “Once it is defined, then we can identify it.”
Dyslexia, a language disorder, affects approximately one in every five children. It is not an indication of intellectual ability, however. Highly successful people such as Charles Schwab and Steve Jobs dealt with dyslexia.
“Children dealing with dyslexia need to understand that they are intelligent and able to succeed,” said Rep. Burton. “When teachers are better equipped to deal with dyslexia in the classroom, students are able to both understand and achieve their potential.”
The bill will now go to the full Senate for consideration.
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State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) represents a portion of Johnson County. He serves as Chairman of the Financial Institutions Committee. He also serves on the Education, Elections and Apportionment, Insurance, and Rules and Legislative Procedures Committees.
