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THE SENATE |
S.C.R. NO. |
120 |
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TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO EVALUATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A PLAN TO PROMOTE GREATER AWARENESS OF DYSLEXIA AND PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS WITH DYSLEXIA AND OTHER LITERARY CHALLENGES.
WHEREAS, dyslexia is a learning disability that is neurological in origin and is characterized by difficulties with accurate or fluent word recognition, poor spelling, and decoding abilities; and
WHEREAS, these difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and requires the provision of effective classroom instruction; and
WHEREAS, secondary consequences may include problems with reading comprehension and reduced reading experience, which can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge; and
WHEREAS, it is estimated that up to twenty percent of the population as a whole in the United States has dyslexia or another reading disability; and
WHEREAS, on January 14, 2013, a working group created pursuant to Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 110, Regular Session of 2010, submitted to the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Education the Comprehensive Plan for Teaching Reading in Hawaii Schools, which addresses dyslexia awareness and literacy instruction as they relate to teacher preparation programs, teacher licensure requirements, professional development for educators, and reading programs in public schools; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Education continues to address the concerns raised by the working group through implementation of its dyslexia awareness efforts and a comprehensive student support system embedded at every school; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2013, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Board of Education and the Department of Education are requested to evaluate the following items:
(1) The promotion of awareness of dyslexia;
(2) Professional development available to educators to support students with dyslexia or other literacy challenges;
(3) Recommended staffing options and the funding required to create licensed literary specialist positions statewide who meet requirements to be established by the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board and related operational and professional development budgetary needs;
(4) Working with the University of Hawaii and Hawaii Teacher Standards Board on the feasibility of licensing requirements for literary specialists; and
(5) Establishing targeted complex area resources to strengthen comprehensive student support systems, including data-based decision making; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education submit a written report to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2014, on the status of its efforts to provide comprehensive support services for students with dyslexia and other literary challenges; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the report include the number of schools with licensed reading teachers, licensed reading specialists, and licensed literary specialists, including the number of individuals in each position by grade level and subject matter; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the report include a discussion of best practices and complex area-based support, as well as the Department of Education's plans and capacity needs to replicate its efforts to address dyslexia and literacy challenges statewide; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education, Superintendent of Education, President of the University of Hawaii System, Chairperson of the University of Hawaii Board of Regents, and Executive Director of the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board.
Dyslexia; Board of Education; Department of Education