STATEHOUSE (Feb. 28, 2018) — The House of Representatives supported legislation sponsored by State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) on Tuesday that would provide additional resources for students with dyslexia.
Under this proposal, students in kindergarten through second grade would be screened for dyslexia. Burton said early detection of dyslexia is key because it directly impacts the way a student learns. Once diagnosed, schools can adjust and tailor instructional techniques to a student’s unique learning needs. Additionally, school corporations would have access to an educator who specializes in dyslexia to address special cases.
“Unfortunately, for many students with dyslexia, they feel they are not as smart as their classmates,” Burton said. “In 2015, I met a young girl, Erin, and she told me before she found out she had dyslexia, she cried every night because she thought she wasn’t smart. Now she knows she just learns differently. That’s why this legislation is so important.”
Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability that can affect an individual’s ability to read, write, spell and pronounce words. In the U.S., 1 in 5 people suffer from some form of dyslexia. In 2015, Burton authored a law that provides teachers resources and training to better identify students with dyslexia.
Senate Bill 217 is now eligible for further action by the Senate. Visit iga.in.gov to learn more.
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State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) represents a portion of Johnson County.
PICTURED: State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) shares the story of Erin, a Hoosier student who has dyslexia and has advocated for legislation helping students with the disorder, on the House floor Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018, at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. This legislation would increase the amount of resources available to schools to better identify and support students with dyslexia.
