Assigned to ED                                                                                                                               AS ENACTED

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Third Legislature, First Regular Session

FINAL REVISED

FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2202

schools; dyslexia; handbook; definition

Purpose

Allows the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to develop and maintain a dyslexia handbook that provides guidance for students, parents and teachers.

Background

Dyslexia is classified as a specific learning disability and defined as a brain-based learning difference that impairs a person's ability to read and spell, that is independent of intelligence and that typically causes a person to read at levels lower than expected (A.R.S. § § 15-701 and 15-761). Characteristics of dyslexia can include the following: 1) difficulty learning to rhyme words; 2) confusion of letters and words with similar visual appearance; 3) difficulty pronouncing some multisyllabic words correctly; and 4) slow word perception that affects reading rate and fluency.

Currently, ADE and the State Board of Education (SBE) are working on the development of a dyslexia guidance document. 

There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation. ADE estimates the development and maintenance of the handbook would cost $30,000 per year.  

Provisions

1. Allows ADE, subject to SBE approval, to develop and maintain a handbook that provides guidance for students, parents and teachers regarding dyslexia.

2. Includes the following in the handbook:

a) guidelines for teachers and parents to identify dyslexia;

b) a description of educational strategies that have been shown to improve the academic performance of students with dyslexia; and

c) a description of dyslexia resources and services that are available to students, parents and teachers.

3. Redefines dyslexia.

4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.

Amendments Adopted by Committee

· Makes structural changes to the definition of dyslexia.

Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole

· Makes a technical change to the definition of dyslexia.

Amendments Adopted by Conference Committee

1. Allows, rather than requires, ADE to maintain a dyslexia handbook.

2. Makes a technical change.

House Action Senate Action

ED                   1/17/17     DP     11-0-0-0                   ED                   3/02/17     DPA     7-0-0

3^rd Read          2/09/17               56-2-2                       3^rd Read          3/20/17                  27-2-1       

Signed by the Governor 4/26/17

Chaptered 194

Prepared by Senate Research

May 4, 2017

BF/CB/jn