Bill > HB1073

This bill requires the Hawaii Department of Education to implement comprehensive measures to support students with dyslexia and reading challenges, beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. Specifically, the bill mandates dyslexia-sensitive universal screenings for kindergarten through third-grade students, which will assess various aspects of literacy including phonological awareness, decoding skills, and oral reading fluency. Schools must use these screenings to identify students who may need additional support and then implement evidence-based interventions through the Hawaii multi-tiered system of supports. The bill also requires the department to provide professional development for teachers on structured literacy instruction, which is an explicit, systematic approach to teaching reading that breaks down literacy skills into detailed components. Additionally, the legislation calls for collaboration with pre-service teacher programs to ensure that both general and special education teacher candidates are trained in structured literacy techniques. The bill defines dyslexia as a specific learning disability characterized by difficulties with word recognition and decoding, and aims to address Hawaii's current challenge of having only about half of its students reading proficiently by providing targeted, evidence-based support for early literacy development.

Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1073&year=2026