HF 326 (LSB 2261HH (4) 86)

HOUSE FILE 326

BY  STAED, HIGHFILL, KOESTER, STECKMAN, DUNKEL, and KELLEY

A BILL FOR

An Act requiring each area education agency to employ a dyslexia specialist subject to an appropriation by the general assembly.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 273.3, Code 2015, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  25.  Employ, subject to an appropriation of funds for such purpose by the general assembly, at least one dyslexia specialist to provide technical assistance for dyslexia and related disorders to school districts and accredited nonpublic schools pursuant to section 273.2, subsection 3, or to school districts under section 273.7, or to school districts and other area education agencies under section 273.7A. For purposes of this subsection, a “dyslexia specialist” is a person who is trained and certified in a multisensory structured language program that meets the level II specialist criteria set forth in the knowledge and practice standards for teachers of reading published by the international dyslexia association, and who has a minimum of three years of field experience in screening, identifying, and treating dyslexia and related disorders utilizing best practices for interventions and services.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with

the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill directs the board of directors of each area education agency (AEA) to employ, subject to an appropriation of funds for such purpose by the general assembly, at least one dyslexia specialist to provide technical assistance for dyslexia and related disorders to school districts and accredited nonpublic schools as a special education service, or if requested by 60 percent of the number of local school boards located in the AEA or by school boards representing 60 percent of the enrollment of all school districts in the AEA, or under contract with a school district or other AEA.
   The bill provides that a “dyslexia specialist” is a person who is trained and certified in a multisensory structured language program that meets the level II specialist criteria set forth in the knowledge and practice standards for teachers of reading published by the international dyslexia association, and who has a minimum of three years of field experience in screening, identifying, and treating dyslexia and related disorders utilizing best practices for interventions and services.