Bill > A01186

This bill requires all school districts to conduct mandatory early screening for dyslexia, a specific learning disability characterized by difficulties with word recognition, spelling, and decoding. The screening will begin during pre-kindergarten or kindergarten and continue annually until a child completes second grade. School districts must use validated assessment tools designed to identify potential reading challenges, with teachers receiving training to ensure accurate implementation. The screening process involves targeted questions and tasks aligned with developmental reading benchmarks. Upon completion of each screening, a report will be provided to the child's parents, guardians, teachers, and a designated school district record keeper. This individual will be responsible for maintaining comprehensive records and providing resources to families of children who show signs of dyslexia. Critically, the bill mandates that districts use assessment results proactively, immediately implementing research-based instructional interventions for children at risk of reading failure. The goal is early identification and support to prevent long-term learning challenges, with the screening defined as a method to detect potential reading difficulties that are inconsistent with a child's overall intelligence and capabilities.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A1186