Meeting Public Comments

Katy Severe [Grand View University]

Dear Members of the Subcommittee, I am writing to express my strong support for SF 72, which seeks to establish a scholarship fund for educators pursuing the Advanced Dyslexia Specialist Endorsement. As a faculty member at Grand View University, one of only two institutions in Iowa offering this vital endorsement program, I witness firsthand the transformative impact this training has on educators and the students they serve. This program equips educators with the specialized skills and knowledge necessary to address the needs of students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties, ensuring equitable access to literacy education across the state. The financial cost of pursuing this endorsement, however, can be a significant barrier for many educators. By establishing a scholarship program, SF 72 would make this highquality training accessible to more teachers, allowing them to better serve their students while reducing the personal financial burden of professional development. Passing this bill is an investment in Iowa's future. It supports educators who are dedicated to addressing the literacy crisis, and it demonstrates Iowa's commitment to evidencebased practices for teaching reading. I urge you to support SF 72 and give Iowa's educators the resources they need to succeed. Thank you for your time and attention to this critical matter.Sincerely, Katy Severe Certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia SpecialistInstructor of Education, Grand View University

Mindy VanZuiden [Grand View University, Decoding Dyslexia Iowa, Tutorburg, Parent]

Dear Members of the Subcommittee,I am writing to express my strong support for SF 72, a bill that seeks to establish a scholarship fund for educators pursuing the Advanced Dyslexia Specialist Endorsement. As a parent, professional, and advocate, I have seen firsthand the critical need for this training and the transformational impact it can have on educators and students alike.When my child was diagnosed with dyslexia, I was confronted with the harsh reality of a serious shortage of trained professionals in our state. Determined to ensure my child received the support he needed, I returned to school to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to address not only his needs but also the needs of other struggling readers in Iowa. This journey led me to open a tutoring center, where I provided evidencebased literacy instruction to support students who were falling through the cracks. Over time, I expanded my reach, becoming an adjunct professor at Grand View University, serving with Decoding Dyslexia Iowa, and traveling across the state to provide professional development to teachers about dyslexia and the science of reading.Despite these efforts, it is clear that private tutoring alone cannot solve the literacy crisis in Iowa. Our 2024 report card highlights a staggering statistic: 77% of lowincome 4th graders in Iowa are not reading proficiently. This is a systemic issue that requires systemic solutions. Every student, regardless of income or zip code, deserves access to effective literacy instruction. The Dyslexia Specialist Endorsement equips educators with the tools and strategies needed to make this a reality.Unfortunately, the cost of obtaining this 18credithour endorsement can be a significant barrier for many educators. SF 72 addresses this challenge by providing scholarships that make this vital training accessible. Importantly, the structure of this program ensures that taxpayer funds are spent responsibly by requiring educators to remain in Iowa and serve our schools and AEAs after completing the endorsement. This investment in our teachers is an investment in Iowas future.I have witnessed the lifechanging impact that this training can have on educators and their students. The educators who have completed the Dyslexia Specialist Endorsement describe it as transformative, providing them with evidencebased tools that lead to measurable improvements in student outcomes. By passing SF 72, you will remove the financial barriers preventing many educators from accessing this training and help create a brighter future for Iowa students.I urge you to support SF 72 and take this critical step toward addressing Iowas literacy crisis. Thank you for your time and attention to this important matter.Sincerely,Mindy VanZuidenAdjunct Professor at Grand View University, Parent Advocate, President of Decoding Dyslexia Iowa

Katie Greving [Decoding Dyslexia Iowa]

I support this bill because the Dyslexia Specialist endorsement is crucial training for Iowa educators. This 18 credit hour credential trains teachers in the science of reading, and this approach is the standard of care for ALL kids, not just those who have learning disabilities. The Dyslexia Specialist endorsement was created as a result of the 2019 Dyslexia Task Force. That group of a variety of stakeholders studied dyslexia and literacy in Iowa for over a year and unanimously recommended that this new credential be developed and offered in our state. The educators who have obtained this endorsement so far describe it as life changing! Many educators want to pursue it, but cost is a big barrier. Please invest in this so that all Iowa kids can become proficient readers! Remember that the legislature funds a number of other tuition grant/scholarship programs, so this type of funding is not unique. The structure of this program reimburses only those who stay in Iowa and work in our schools and AEAs, so it insures that taxpayer funds are spent responsibly to benefit Iowa students.

MICHELLE VEACH [Mom of Dyslexic child ]

I am in favor of SF 72. We need teachers in EVERY elementary who are trained to recognize dyslexia, know effective methods to teach dyslexics to read and to educate their peers. ALL students will benefit. It is far cheaper to offer scholarships to teachers who can have an impact on many students, than to privately remediate each student. My daughter did not learn to read in her public school K5. If a teacher would have suggested having her tested, or using an OG method to teach her reading, we could have addressed her dyslexia in K or 1st grade. Instead, we waited till 5th grade and out of sheer frustration decided to try an OG method called Barton Reading and Spelling. My family paid $14,000 for OG tutoring, and lost 6 years of instruction time.

Carrie Johnsen

Dear Members of the Subcommittee, I strongly support SF22. Having two children with dyslexia and seeing the struggles they have been through the last few years has been tough for them and us as parents. We have had to seek outside tutoring in order to help them learn how to read. Had they had teachers with dyslexia knowledge, it would have made a major difference in their academic careers thus far. My son wouldn't be as far behind as he is. He wouldn't have to give up 3 evenings each week for after school tutoring. One teacher can make a major difference in the life of a child, especially when dyslexia is caught early on. One teacher can reach several students each year and prevent them from the struggles academically and emotionally. Having this endorsement is a game changer for students and fellow educators within a school district to use as a resource.

Kati England

Dear Members of the committee,I am writing to communicate my support of SF 72. Although our child graduated last year, our family was impacted by the lack of knowledge and expertise in our school regarding dyslexia. One of my children was diagnosed with dyslexia in 1st grade. When we approached the school we were told they didnt know much about dyslexia or how to help our child. He was in Title Reading and even the Reading Specialist didnt know how to help him. We approached the Special Education Director and were told no one in the school had any specific training to teach students with this diagnosis. I attended conferences and worked with the University of Iowa to identify reading instruction methods recommended for students with dyslexia. Fortunately, our sons special education teacher had experience using one of the recommended teaching methods. Our son can now read as expected for his age, but this would not have been possible if his teacher would not have unintentionally had experience with this method. Funding and support provided by this bill will help ensure children like our son dont fall through the cracks. Sincerely,Kati England

Jordan Zakery [ExcelinEd in Action]

February 5, 2025Dear Education Committee,My name is Jordan Zakery, Legislative Director for ExcelinEd in Action. Our organization works with state lawmakers and partner organizations to pass legislation that empowers families with educational opportunity, prepares students for college and career, prioritizes early literacy grounded in the science of reading, expands innovation and strengthens school performance. I am writing to express ExcelinEd in Actions support for IA SF72, which would strengthen the states ongoing approach to literacy and improve reading proficiency.By creating a scholarship, IA SF72 would help teachers more easily earn the dyslexia specialist endorsement. This endorsement better prepares them to assess, identify, and support students with dyslexia to become proficient readers. Early identification and intervention are crucial for supporting students with dyslexia and helping them develop effective reading strategies. When more teachers are trained, more students with dyslexia excel. We are grateful for your leadership and urge you to pass IA SF72 to ensure all Iowa children are confident, proficient readers. Thank you for your leadership and consideration of this critical policy. Respectfully, Jordan ZakeryLegislative Director, MidwestExcelinEd in Action