Legislature Takes Last Look at Education Bills Before Summer

By John Mooney (courtesy of NJ Spotlight)

Just as schools are closing for summer, the Legislature today is likely taking its last shot before recess at several prominent education bills -- both long fought and relatively recent. Here's a look at several notable examples, as well as a couple of controversial bills that won’t be making appearances -- at least for now.

Dyslexia Gets Its Legislative Due

A package of six bills and resolutions that would give dyslexia new standing as a learning disability is expected to gain final passage in the Senate, having already won bipartisan support in committee and seeing little opposition since.

Most of the legislation has already passed the Assembly, in some cases unanimously.

Sponsored by state Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May), the proposals would require schools to train staff specifically on strategies to address the reading disorder and follow procedures to identify the disorder earlier.

The legislation would define and list dyslexia as a specific disability under the law and in the administrative code, giving parents a tool when dealing with school districts they contend have not always been receptive.

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