SF453 Summary

• Requires school districts to identify students in kindergarten through grade 2 who are not reading at grade level and students in grade 3+ with reading difficulties, using screening tools recommended by the department's dyslexia and literacy specialist.

• Mandates districts provide reading intervention to students identified as below grade level, with interventions continuing after grade 3 until the student reaches grade level, including methods such as summer school, intensified instruction, and extended-day programs.

• Establishes a dyslexia and literacy specialist position within the Department of Education to provide technical assistance and serve as the primary source of support for schools addressing dyslexia and related disorders, with the position requiring minimum three years of field experience.

• Creates a grant program funded by the commissioner of education to pay tuition, fees, and materials costs for teacher professional development related to dyslexia instruction, in consultation with the dyslexia and literacy specialist.

• Transfers up to $150,000 annually from literacy incentive aid to the Department of Education for fiscal years 2018-2019 to fund the dyslexia and literacy specialist position.