2016 -- H 7053

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LC003253

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - RHODE ISLAND VISION EDUCATION AND SERVICES

PROGRAM

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Lombardi, Carnevale, Williams, Shekarchi, and Hull

     Date Introduced: January 07, 2016

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     Section 1. Chapter 16-26.1 of the General Laws entitled "Rhode Island Vision Education

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and Services Program" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     16-26.1-6. Dyslexia regulations to be adopted. -- (a) Findings of fact. The general

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assembly finds and declares as follows:

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     (1) Dyslexia has significant educational implications that must be addressed;

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     (2) Dyslexia adversely affects a child's educational performance;

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     (3) Dyslexia is highly prevalent, affecting one out of five (5) individuals in some form,

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and is persistent;

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     (4) Dyslexia is a paradox, so that often the same individual who has a weakness in

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decoding or reading fluency also has strengths in higher level cognitive functions such as

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reasoning, critical thinking, concept formation, and problem solving;

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     (5) Great progress has been made in understanding dyslexia at a scientific level, including

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its epidemiology, and cognitive and neurobiological bases; and

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     (6) The diagnosis of dyslexia is critical, and must lead to focused, evidence-based

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interventions, necessary accommodations, self-awareness, self-empowerment, and school and life

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success.

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     (b) The state council on elementary and secondary education shall promulgate rules and

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regulations that incorporate the definition of dyslexia that is set forth in subsection (c) of this

 

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section, as well as the findings set forth in subsection (a) of this section.

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     (c) For purposes of this section, "dyslexia" shall be defined as an unexpected difficulty in

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reading and spelling in an individual who has normal intelligence. Dyslexia reflects difficulty in

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phonological processing (understanding the sounds of spoken language) and/or visual processing,

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which typically affects speaking, reading, spelling, and often, learning a second language.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - RHODE ISLAND VISION EDUCATION AND SERVICES

PROGRAM

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     This act would make certain findings about dyslexia and would establish a definition of

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"dyslexia". This act would also direct the council on elementary and secondary education to

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promulgate rules and regulations to incorporate this definition and findings.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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