Bill Text: NJ SR91 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Urges State Board of Education to develop endorsement to instructional certificate for teachers of students with reading disabilities, including dyslexia.*
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)
Status: (Passed) 2013-06-27 - Filed with Secretary of State [SR91 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-SR91-Amended.html
SENATE RESOLUTION No. 91
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
215th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED JANUARY 8, 2013
Sponsored by:
Senator JEFF VAN DREW
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
Senator M. TERESA RUIZ
District 29 (Essex)
Senator DIANE B. ALLEN
District 7 (Burlington)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senator Turner
SYNOPSIS
Urges State Board of Education to develop endorsement to instructional certificate for teachers of students with reading disabilities, including dyslexia.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Senate Education Committee on June 20, 2013, with amendments.
A Senate Resolution urging the State Board of Education to develop an endorsement for teachers of students with 1reading disabilities, including1 dyslexia.
Whereas, Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability characterized by difficulties with accurate or fluent word recognition and poor spelling and decoding abilities, resulting in core difficulties with reading, writing, and spelling, and sometimes spoken language; and
Whereas, An estimated 15-20% of individuals have language-based learning difficulties, and an estimated 70-85% of students who are placed in special education for a learning disability have dyslexia, making it the most prevalent learning disability in children; and
Whereas, 1[Dyslexia affects] Reading disabilities, including dyslexia, affect1 male and female students alike and 1[occurs] occur1 in individuals of all backgrounds and intellectual levels; and
Whereas, All children need basic reading and writing abilities to succeed throughout their lives, and children with 1reading disabilities, including1 dyslexia1,1 can learn successfully with appropriate teaching methods; and
Whereas, Children with untreated 1reading disabilities, including1 dyslexia1,1 can suffer devastating personal consequences, as 1[it] they1 can cause significant stress and poor self-image, discourage students from continuing in school, and lead to adults unable to achieve at their fullest potential; and
Whereas, Early identification, support, and sustained targeted services for students with 1reading disabilities, including1 dyslexia1,1 are of the utmost importance to increase academic success and self-esteem; and
Whereas, Informed and effective instruction by skilled teachers, especially in the early grades, can prevent or ameliorate the severity of 1reading disabilities, including1 dyslexia1,1 and related reading and language problems; and
Whereas, Students with 1reading disabilities, including1 dyslexia1,1 require appropriate instruction and educational interventions for their specific disability, which can include multisensory structured language techniques or other similar specialized educational programs; and
Whereas, Effective educators of students with 1reading disabilities, including1 dyslexia1,1 need considerable and specialized knowledge and skills and sufficient training and expertise to recognize early signs of risk and provide successful teaching methods; and
Whereas, New Jersey parents of children with 1reading disabilities, including1 dyslexia1,1 have advocated for additional training of teachers, principals, and child study team members in order to increase educational services that specifically address 1[dyslexia] these disabilities1; and
Whereas, A State endorsement to the instructional certificate for teachers who are trained in educating students with 1reading disabilities, including1 dyslexia1,1 will help ensure that children in New Jersey who have language-based learning disabilities are identified early and provided with appropriate instructional strategies and educational tools to help them succeed in school and throughout their lives; and
Whereas, It is in the public interest of this State to provide children struggling with 1reading disabilities, including1 dyslexia1,1 with access to teachers who are specifically trained in instructing 1[dyslexic] such1 students and who can help them learn and achieve at their fullest potential; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. The State Board of Education is urged to develop an endorsement to the instructional certificate for teachers of students with 1reading disabilities including, but not limited to,1 dyslexia 1[, and];1 to establish eligibility and training requirements for the endorsement specific to the needs of students with 1reading disabilities including, but not limited to,1 dyslexia 1; and to work with colleges and universities in the development of instructional programs for candidates for the endorsement1. In developing the endorsement and its eligibility and training requirements, the State Board of Education is encouraged to review and consider the recommendations contained in the International Dyslexia Association's Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading (2010), and requirements developed by other states, such as Texas, for certification of individuals who work with students who have dyslexia.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and attested by the Secretary thereof, shall be transmitted to each member of the State Board of Education.
