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Minutes for HB2602 - Committee on Education
Short Title
Requiring screenings for dyslexia and related disorders in public schools.
Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 7, 2018
Chairperson Aurand opened the hearing on HB2602.
Jason Long gave a summary of the bill. The bill requires that the state board begin early screening of students for dyslexia, and a notice be sent to the parents/guardians. If the student is evaluated as dyslexic by a licensed physician psychologist or psychiatrist, then the school district must conduct the appropriate evaluation for an IEP, 504, or another educational plan. (Attachment 1)
Allison Winters testified in favor of this bill. She explained that many students who have dyslexia are not getting the help they need at school. She related that when she worked in Texas dyslexia was not ignored or taboo. Her observation is that Kansas uses a wait and see approach but when it comes to reading problems, they need to be caught early and diagnosed specifically. (Attachment 2) (Attachment 3) (Attachment 4) (Attachment 5)
Jennifer Knight testified as a proponent. She is the owner of Dyslexia Help KC and a parent of two dyslexic children. She stated that general screening is covered in Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), but what is not covered is early identification of dyslexia. Knight testified that catching this disorder early can keep a child from needing special education in later years. (Attachment 6)
Christina Middleton testified in favor of the legislation and shared that she has become a community advocate through her 400 member Johnson County Dyslexia Facebook group. She stated that getting her son help with reading has been very difficult, expensive, and she has been frustrated with the school rather than helped. (Attachment 7)
Terry Collins testified as an opponent and stated that this proposed legislation is already in place as there are statues and regulations for all students with exceptionalities. Screenings take place for Kansas children and dyslexia is covered under IDEA. Kansas no longer uses terms like Dyslexia, but prefers Specific Learning Disability. He stated that having separate laws for each condition would result in over-regulation, financial burden, and be in conflict with State and Federal law. (Attachment 8) (Attachment 9) (Attachment 10)
G.A. Buie and Amy Haussler both spoke as opponents to this bill. They explained that at present all Kansas students receive reading screening as early as kindergarten, making this legislation redundant. Ms. Haussler testified that in her many years of teaching and administrating in numerous districts, she has never seen the kind of frustration that earlier conferees described. She assured the Committee that the State has these programs in place. (Attachment 11)
Mark Desetti testified that he was neutral about the bill but had some concerns. He shared his positive experience with Kansas schools as a parent with a dyslexic child. He testified that he has never seen a more child-focused school system than here in Kansas. He stated that the Committee needs to be very careful about what this legislation does and whether it is detailed enough to be effective. (Attachment 12)
Written only proponent testimony was submitted by:
Maddox Niedzwiecki, Student with dyslexia (Attachment 13)
Ashley Niedzwiecki, Parent (Attachment 14)
Lindsey Bruns, Parent (Attachment 15)
Katie Reed, Parent (Attachment 16)
Janna Freeman, Parent (Attachment 17)
Eileen Amari-Vaught, Parent (Attachment 18)
Susan Bender, Parent (Attachment 19)
Kelly Long, Parent (Attachment 20)
Erin Gould, Parent (Attachment 21)
Cathy O'Shea, Parent (Attachment 22)
Jen Hight, Parent (Attachment 23)
Representative Don Schroder, Parent and Legislator (Attachment 24)
Melissa Webb, Parent (Attachment 25)
Arlena, Michael & Jillian McLaren, Parents and Student (Attachment 26)
Angie Schreiber, Executive Director, Cradle to Career Literacy Center, Emporia, KS (Attachment 27)
Written only opponent testimony was submitted by:
Heath Peine, Assistant Superintendent, Wellington Public Schools (Attachment 28)
Bert Moore, Superintendent/Special Education Director/Food Service Director, West Elk Schools (Attachment 29)
Chairperson Aurand closed the hearing on HB2606.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:01 PM.
