Bill > SF0059

This bill establishes the Wyoming Language and Literacy Program to ensure all students from kindergarten through twelfth grade develop strong language and literacy skills, defining key terms like "developmental language disorder" (DLD), "dyslexia," and "evidence-based language and literacy instruction," which refers to systematic teaching grounded in the science of reading. School districts are required to implement a comprehensive plan (DLLP) that includes using approved screeners and diagnostic assessments to identify students with reading difficulties, providing evidence-based instruction through a multitiered system of support (MTSS), and developing individualized reading plans (IRPs) for students needing extra help, with parents being notified of results and progress. The bill also mandates ongoing professional development for educators in literacy and prohibits the use of the "three-cueing system" as the sole method for teaching word recognition. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction will oversee approved assessments and materials, establish professional development requirements, define necessary terms, and monitor district compliance, with the authority to create a dedicated literacy division within the Department of Education. This legislation replaces existing provisions and takes effect on July 1, 2026.