NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The #SayDyslexia bill has now passed both the Senate and the House and is headed to the Governor for his signature.
The bill will address early screening and intervention for students with signs of dyslexia.
Data shows that one in five students, or more than 200,000 in the state have characteristics of dyslexia. This legislation will put into place a screening tool for schools to use to identify these children who will then receive proper intervention.
“Many thanks to Ryann Smith, a fourth grader in Clarksville-Montgomery County, and her parents, Lori and Shane, for asking me to sponsor this legislation,” said State Representative Joe Pitts (D-Clarksville).
“I also want to thank Governor Bill Haslam for funding the bill as well as Commissioner of Education Candice McQueen for working with me. Mr. J.C. Bowman of the Professional Educators of Tennessee, Julya Johnson of Decoding Dyslexia, Cathy Kolb a teacher with the Clarksville Montgomery County School System and many others for their hard work to accomplish the passage of this legislation. I am certain the students with characteristics of dyslexia will benefit from the passage of the legislation.”