How schools serve students with dyslexia could change in Kansas - KOAM TV 7

How schools serve students with dyslexia could change in Kansas

Kansas lawmakers are discussing legislation to mandate how school districts serve students with dyslexia.

Dyslexia is a learning disability and currently how students get help for this neurologically-based problem falls under that umbrella.

Dyslexia is a disorder that gives kids problems decoding words and with reading fluency.  Pittsburg special education classes can focus on helping students isolate words they're trying to read.

Right now teachers work with students in groups and in one on one situations to help them make progress based on Individual Education Plans - or IEP's.

The bill proposed would require working with students a guaranteed 90 minutes each day, but local providers don't agree with the bill.

"A one size fits all legislative action is not nearly effective as what's already in place where you sit locally with IEP teams, sit with your teacher, the students have an individual education plan," says Dan Duling, the Director of Special Education Services in Pittsburg.  "That's exactly what it means - it's individualized for your child's needs and that's what's really important to follow."

Kansas lawmakers say they've heard from parents whose children were diagnosed with dyslexia but were told by schools that the child doesn't need help.

The bill would also require special training for teachers which has raised concerns from special education organizations about how that would be paid for by school districts.