Share This:
2012
Charlotte G. Andrist, Ph.D., NCSP, President, Central Ohio Branch of the International Dyslexia Association
House Bills (HB) 96 and 157 were unanimously passed by the Ohio Senate with a subsequent unanimous concurrence vote in the Ohio House during a late-night, end-of-the-year Statehouse session on December 14; both bills were signed into law by Governor Kasich on December 21, 2011.
HB 96 (Celeste – D & Brenner – R)
The law will: 1) place the IDA definition of dyslexia directly into Ohio the Ohio Revised Code. Although the term “dyslexia” is currently listed as a specific learning disability within the 2008 Ohio Special Education Operating Standards, Ohio law does not contain a definition of dyslexia; and 2) begin a 3-year pilot program for the early identification and remediation of students at-risk for dyslexia and other phonologically based reading disorders.
HB 157 (Schuring – R & Letson – D)
The law will: 1) define a dyslexia specialist as someone who has achieved training consistent with the Level II IDA Knowledge and Practice Standards; and 2) give Educational Service Centers (Ohio’s statewide network of inservice training facilities) and other educational institutions permissive authority to hire a dyslexia specialist to provide professional development in dyslexia for Ohio teachers grades K – 4.
Many thanks to all of you who have worked so diligently to make this dyslexia legislation a reality. Your dedication and perseverance made all of the difference.
- State Representatives Celeste, Brenner, Schuring, Letson and their staff members;
- Education Chairs Rep. Stebelton and Senator Lehner and all of their committee members;
- Chancellor Jim Petro, Ohio Board of Regents;
- President Deborah Tehar and members of the State of Ohio School Board;
- The staff and parents of our special schools for dyslexics: Marburn Academy, Kairos Academy, Lawrence School and Springer School;
- Parents and staff from our 11 Masonic Children’s Dyslexia Centers in Ohio;
- Supporting organizations such as OCECD, CHADD, UA-KIDS and others;
- Tutors, teachers and many other service providers that work with our dyslexic students;
- Dyslexics, their parents and other family members;
- Thank you also to the Executive Committee of the Ohio Dyslexia Group for organizing the grass-roots effort that made the passage of this legislation possible including: Charlotte Andrist, Martha Chiodi, Anita Gardner, Stephanie Gordan, Pam Kanfer, Gayle Long, Janis Mitchell, Susan Nolan and Rebecca Tolson;
- A special thank-you goes to Janis Mitchell (HB 96) and Rebecca Tolson (HB 157) for not only helping to organize the grass-roots efforts of this legislation but also for the lobbying efforts that began these two legislative initiatives.
Click Here to view more information, appreciation and photos about this momentous occasion!
Copyright © 2012 International Dyslexia Association (IDA). We encourage sharing of Examiner articles. If portions are cited, please make appropriate reference. Articles may not be reprinted for the purpose of resale. Permission to republish this article is available from info@interdys.org.