2019 Archive

December 31, 2019

MN 2019 Legislative Session   

DDMN’s Dyslexia screening and mandatory dyslexia instruction in teacher preparation programs passed and are effective July 1, 2020. Also, the term “balanced” was deleted from the teacher preparation reading instruction requirement and replaced with “structured”. 

Screening:

“Students identified as not reading at grade level by the end of kindergarten, grade 1, and grade 2 must be screened, in a locally determined manner, for characteristics of dyslexia.” “Students in grade 3 or higher who demonstrate a reading difficulty to a classroom teacher must be screened, in a locally determined manner, for characteristics of dyslexia, unless a different reason for the reading difficulty has been identified.”

Teacher preparation:

“Board-approved teacher preparation programs for teachers of elementary education must require instruction in applying comprehensive, scientifically based or evidence-based, and structured reading instruction programs that….”

“Board-approved teacher preparation programs for teachers of elementary education, early childhood education, special education, and reading intervention must include instruction on dyslexia, as defined in section 125A.01, subdivision 2. Teacher preparation programs may consult with the Department of Education, including the dyslexia specialist under section 120B.122, to develop instruction under this paragraph. Instruction on dyslexia must be modeled on practice standards of the International Dyslexia Association,

See our slide show of how the bills gained support and move through the legislature.

SF116 / HF1495 (did not pass) Dyslexia teacher professional development for 5-year recertification. The reading preparation must include at least five clock hours of training on dyslexia.

SF196 / HF1494 (passed) Dyslexia teacher training requirement for teacher preparation programs (Higher Education). Board-approved teacher preparation programs for teachers of elementary education, early childhood education, special education, and reading intervention must include instruction on dyslexia.  Instruction on dyslexia must be in conjunction with the knowledge and practice standards of the International Dyslexia Association.

SF651 / HF1496 (passed) Dyslexia screening requirement.  A school district must screen for dyslexia.