Bill > SB2430

This bill mandates that starting in the 2028-2029 school year, the Department of Education must administer a dyslexia-sensitive universal screener, which is an assessment to identify students at risk for reading difficulties, to all students in kindergarten through third grade, excluding Hawaiian language immersion and public charter schools. This screening will assess various foundational reading skills like phonological awareness (understanding sounds in words) and decoding (sounding out words). The bill also requires that by the same school year, certain public school employees, including general education elementary teachers, reading interventionists, English language teachers, and special education teachers, will have the opportunity to participate in training on structured literacy instruction, an evidence-based method for teaching reading and writing. Furthermore, the bill defines key terms such as "dyslexia" and "structured literacy instruction" and requires the Department of Education to submit a report to the Legislature and Board of Education by the 2031-2032 school year evaluating the implementation and impact of these new requirements, including student literacy outcomes and recommendations for improvement. Finally, funds are appropriated for the selection and administration of the dyslexia-sensitive universal screener.

Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2430&year=2026