Bill > SB421

This bill addresses literacy challenges in Hawaii by establishing comprehensive measures to identify and support students with reading difficulties, particularly those with dyslexia. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, the Department of Education will be required to administer a specialized dyslexia screening for all students in kindergarten through third grade, which will assess various aspects of language and literacy development such as phonological awareness, decoding skills, and oral reading fluency. The bill builds upon existing universal English language arts screenings for kindergarten through ninth-grade students and aims to implement evidence-based interventions through the Hawaii multi-tiered system of support framework. Additionally, the legislation mandates professional development for educators and requires pre-service teacher training programs to include structured literacy instruction techniques, with the goal of improving reading proficiency rates. The bill defines dyslexia as a specific learning disability characterized by difficulties with word recognition and decoding, and emphasizes a systematic approach to identifying and supporting students with language and literacy challenges. By providing clear definitions, screening protocols, and support mechanisms, the bill seeks to address the current literacy challenges in Hawaii and revive the state's historically high literacy rates.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=421&year=2025