Establishes a center for dyslexia and dysgraphia

State dyslexia and dysgraphia center for students

The law takes effect immediately and creates a Center for Dyslexia and Dysgraphia within New York’s State Education Department. A director appointed by the education commissioner leads it. The Center must define these conditions with input from advocacy groups, medical and scientific experts, and educators. It must collect and share best practices and information to help identify students and reduce barriers to education. It must set research-backed, peer-reviewed standards for teacher preparation, certification, interventions, and school supports. Screening standards must cover yearly reading and writing checks for all kindergarten through fifth-grade students and new students entering New York schools. The Center must also set screening standards for students identified as at risk for dyslexia or dysgraphia. Within two years of the law’s effective date, it must publish a guidebook for school leaders, educators, specialists, and training providers. The guidebook must explain schools’ legal duties, screening steps, use of data, and how to discuss results and next steps with families. It must cover screening adaptations for English and multilingual learners and students with disabilities affecting oral language or handwriting development. It must also cover science-based reading instruction, structured literacy, individual education plan goals, accommodations, progress checks, and staff training. The Center must release a draft for public comment at least 60 days before publication and update the guidebook at least every five years. It must publicly report on statewide screening and support progress within two years of the effective date and every two years afterward.