New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has signed two bills addressing reading disabilities: one that will make it easier to identify students with dyslexia, and another intended to improve the training teachers get.
Dyslexia is a brain-based learning disability that is characterized by difficulties in reading, such as recognizing and decoding words. It is the most common cause of reading writing and spelling difficulties.
Under the new laws, the state special education code must be revised to include an official definition of dyslexia– the one adopted by the International Dyslexia Association. In addition, school districts are required to offer at least two hours of training related to dyslexia and other reading disabilities each year to school district staff. Certain teachers – general education teachers in grade K-3, special education teachers, basic skills teachers, English as a second language teachers, reading specialists, learning disabilities teacher consultants, and speech-language specialists – are required to take part in the training as part of professional development.
The new laws, which take effect this fall, mark the first time dyslexia is directly addressed in New Jersey state statute and regulation.
