Decoding Dyslexia MD Included in Dyslexia Task Force Bills Signed by Governor Hogan

Teacher training, early intervention key to combatting #dyslexia https://t.co/GTJE3qV6q2 via @abc2news

Posted by Decoding Dyslexia MD on Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Task Force Members

1. 1 member of Decoding Dyslexia Maryland (appt. by the Governor)
2. 1 member of the Maryland Senate, appt. by the President of the Senate
3. 1 member of the Maryland House of Delegates, appt. by the Speaker of the House
4. the State Superintendent of Schools or their designee
5. 1 representative of the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE), appointed by the Executive Director of the Association
6. 1 representative of the Public School Superintendents Association of Maryland, appt. by the Executive Director of the Association
7. 1 representative of the MD State Education Association (MSEA), appointed by the President of the Association
8. 1 representative of the MD School Psychologists' Association, appointed by the President of the Association
9. Appointed by the Governor: 1 representative of an employee organization of public school teachers
10. 1 representative of a local school system
11. 2 representatives of the dyslexia education community
12. 1 representative of an organization that certifies dyslexia identification methodologies
13. 1 consumer member who has experience with dyslexia identification, education and treatment

The Governor chooses the Chair of the Task Force.

Resources

Decoding Dyslexia Parent Testimony
Decoding Dyslexia Teacher Testimony 
Dyslexia Bill Hearing Video (DD-MD is at minute 26)

Law Creates Dyslexia Education Program & Pilot for Maryland

The Task Force will study the implementation of a dyslexia education program and will take effect on June 1.
The Task Force Shall:

1. Determine current practices for identifying and treating dyslexia in students in Maryland public schools;
   
2. Determine current practices for identifying and treating dyslexia in other states;
3. Determine the appropriate structure for establishing a dyslexia education program and make recommendations on:
   

• The feasibility of funding a dyslexia education program through the State Department of Education or another source, or both;
  
• The methodologies that should be used to test students and identify dyslexia and pre-dyslexia tendencies;
  
• The appropriate age to begin testing for dyslexia and pre-dyslexsia tendencies; and
  
• The best practices for treating and educating students identified as having dyslexia or pre-dyslexia tendencies; and

4.  Develop a pilot program to initiate the implementation of the recommendations of the Task Force in an appropriately limited geographical area.

On or before December 30, 2015, the Task Force shall report its finding and recommendations to the Governor and the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee and the House Ways and means Committee.

Takes Effect:  June 1, 2015 and remain effective for 1 year and 1 month.

This Bill presents a statewide commitment to furthering early intervention and dyslexia awareness.  Its passage demonstrates a monumental step forward in the lives of children throughout the state of Maryland.  ~The Odyssey School

Thank You to DD-MD Members and Community Partners!

Many parents, families, students and community partners worked diligently to support HB 278/SB 15 by participating in Dyslexia Advocacy Day in March and testifying to support the bills.  DD-MD Thanks you all!

Thank you to The Odyssey School for their forethought to write and foster the legislation -- DD-MD is grateful for their concern and attention to the well being of all students in Maryland.  The Odyssey School students' testimony won the hearts and minds of legislators.