Educate. Advocate. Legislate.
SB681 the “Reading Success” Bill sponsored by Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin was perfected (passed) by the MO Senate on March 2. It is now on its way to the MO House for committee review and hopefully successful passage on the House floor. We will keep you posted on upcoming votes and hearings for this important bill.
Thank you for all of the calls/emails you made in support of SB681. Together we can achieve “Reading Success” this year!
The “Reading Success” bills (SB681 and HB1556), sponsored by Senator O’Laughlin and Representative Gregory, update current state statute to include appropriate, scientific evidence-based practices that help students with dyslexia and other reading deficiencies learn to read. It would require schools to use structured literacy and the science of reading for students who are screened positive for dyslexia in public school screenings or who have a diagnosis of dyslexia.You can read the full text for these bills by clicking on the blue links above.
Please contact your legislators today and ask them to support SB681 and HB1556! (You can find the contact information for your legislators here.)
We will be sure to keep you updated as these bills progress during the session. Let’s make 2022 the year that all children have “Reading Success”!
The “Reading Success” bills (SB681 and HB1556), sponsored by Senator O’Laughlin and Representative Gregory, update current state statute to include appropriate, scientific evidence-based practices that help students with dyslexia and other reading deficiencies learn to read. It would require schools to use structured literacy and the science of reading for students who are screened positive for dyslexia in public school screenings or who have a diagnosis of dyslexia.You can read the full text for these bills by clicking on the blue links above.
Please contact your legislators today and ask them to support SB681 and HB1556! (You can find the contact information for your legislators here.)
We will be sure to keep you updated as these bills progress during the session. Let’s make 2022 the year that all children have “Reading Success”!
The MO State Capitol has now been put on a restriction of “essential personnel” only due to the CoVID-19 prevention concerns, and the March 17 House Education Committee public hearing for HB2470 has been cancelled.
We will update everyone on any rescheduling information or ways to submit testimony as they are communicated.
In the meantime, please support this important bill by contacting the House Education Committee members and asking for their support of structured literacy. A bill summary can be found here. Full details of HB2470 can be found here.
Take a moment to review the full text of this bill and read our “Talking Points”. Then let the Committee Members know how crucial appropriate evidenced-based reading instruction is for dyslexic children. This legislation would positively influence all children struggling with literacy in public schools.
We cannot over-emphasize how important your calls/emails will be in the forward movement of this bill and future passage!
Let’s show our Legislators that this bill really matters to families in MO! Please contact the following members of the House Education Committee by phone or email to respectfully request them for their support. Personal examples of your child’s struggles and when he or she has succeeded with the right kind of help will make your story, letter or email more compelling. (See sample letter below for ideas.)
House Education Committee Members:
Rep Chuck Basye (Committee Chairman) (573) 751-1501 email here
Rep. Dottie Bailey (Committee Vice-Chair) (573) 751-0562 email here
Rep. Judy Morgan (573) 751-4485 email here
Rep. Ben Baker (573) 751-9781 email here
Rep. Gretchen Bangert (573) 751-5365 email here
Rep. Paula Brown (573) 751-4163 email here
Rep. Phil Christofanelli (573) 751-2949 email here
Rep. Shamed Dogan (573) 751-4392 email here
Rep. Karla Eslinger (573) 751-2042 email here
Rep. Michael O’Donnell (573) 751-3762 email here
Rep. Raychel Proudie (573) 751-0855 email here
Rep. Nick Schroer (573) 751-1470 email here
Rep. Dan Stacy (573) 751-8636 email here
Rep. Kathryn Swan (573) 751-1443 email here
Contact us here with any questions regarding these bills.
Please take a moment today to show your support for appropriate reading interventions for students with dyslexia!
____________________________________________________________________________________
Sample letter:
Dear __________,
I am writing today to ask for your support of (insert bill number here__________) that has been referred to your Education Committee and was scheduled to be heard on March 17. This bill will require schools to adopt a structured literacy intervention program that is evidenced based to help children with dyslexia and other reading difficulties.
My child has struggled…(include a short personal story).
That is why I feel that not only my child but every child who struggles with dyslexia would benefit from the passage of HB2470. I respectfully ask for your support of this bill!
Sincerely,
Senate Bill 949 (SB949) has received Senate approval and will be heard this Monday, May 14 at 2 pm by the House Rules Committee in House Hearing Room 1. Please take a moment to review SB949 here, which establishes appropriate reading interventions for students K-3 with dyslexia and reading difficulties., and then take action by letting Committee members know we need their support!
Let’s show our Representatives that this bill really matters to You and Your kids! Please contact the following members of the House Rules Committee to respectfully request the Committee members to support SB 949 (before Monday at 2 pm):
Rep. Joe Runions – 573-751-0238; Joe.Runions@house.mo.gov
Rep. John Carpenter – 573-751-4787; Jon.Carpenter@house.mo.gov
Rep. Sarah Unsicker – 573-751-1285; Sarah.Unsicker@house.mo.gov
Rep. Bruce Franks, Jr – 573-751-2383; Bruce.Franks@house.mo.gov
Personal examples of your child’s struggles and when he or she has succeeded with the right kind of help will make your story, letter or email more compelling, but don’t make it too long. (See sample letter below for ideas.)
Please let your representative know how crucial appropriate reading instruction is for dyslexic children and how this legislation would positively influence all children struggling with literacy in public schools.
We cannot over-emphasize how important your calls/emails will be in the forward movement of this bill and future passage.
____________________________________________________
Sample letter:
Dear Representative __________,
I am writing today to ask for your support of SB949 that will be heard in the House Rules Committee on Monday at 2 pm. This bill will require schools to provide the scientifically evidenced-based reading programs that help children with dyslexia learn to read.
My child has struggled…(include a short personal story).
That is why I feel that not only my child but every child who struggles with dyslexia would benefit with the passage of SB949. I respectfully ask for your support of this bill!
Sincerely,
Please join us on Wednesday, January 18th, 2017 for the second annual Decoding Dyslexia MO “Hill Day”! Below is the itinerary with planned events and opportunities for you to meet your legislators and other DD-MO Members from around the State. If you are able to attend this event, be sure to RSVP to jedwards@decodingdyslexia-mo.org so that we will be able to provide you with name tags, a luncheon, and other information/items for this event.
“Hill Day” Itinerary:
One week prior to the event – Make appointments to meet with your Legislators to meet in their office. You can find contact information for your House Representative here and your Senator here. Appointments are not necessary but, if you would feel more comfortable by scheduling an appointment then please do so. Please note: Session and hearing times may not be determined prior to this date and offices may not be scheduling appointments.
On “Hill Day”:
9 am – 12 pm and 1 pm – 4 pm Rotunda Table Hours — Our tables will be located on the third floor rotunda area on the House side. Check in and collect name tags and other items for yourself and members of your family before heading off to meet your Legislators. (We will be distributing “Talking Points” about important information to discuss in advance via email or on our Facebook pages that you can print at home for your use when speaking with your Legislators.) DDMO Leaders from around the State will be on hand to answer questions and provide encouragement.
12 pm – 1 pm DDMO Member Luncheon. Join us in House of Representatives Hearing Room #6 to meet and socialize with other DDMO members from around the State. There will be members of the legislature, Legislative Task Force on Dyslexia members and DDMO members on hand. We will have a brief Powerpoint presentation to update you on all of the current activities of DDMO across the state.
Optional Tour of The Capitol. If you would like to take a quick tour of the Capital while you are there, you can stop by the tour desk on the first floor of the Capital. They last approximately 45 minutes. More information can be found here. You can also peruse the Missouri State Museum also found on the first floor, with our without a tour guide.
4pm – Safe Travels Home! Hopefully, you will be enjoying a safe and relaxing ride back home knowing that you have participated in creating new and meaningful legislation for the dyslexic students in our State!
If you have any questions about “Hill Day”, please contact jedwards@decodingdyslexia-mo.org. Interested in helping plan this event? Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/237742459716015/
We look forward to seeing you in Jefferson City!
Representative Burlison, Representative Wood, and Senator Sifton have been working hard on behalf of kids with dyslexia in Jefferson City. Representative Burlison introduced HB921 and Senator Sifton introduced SB548 that creates the “Legislative Task Force on Dyslexia” and requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to employ a dyslexia specialist and develop professional development programs for schools. Representative Wood and Senator Sifton introduced HB731 and SB468 that requires each public school to test students for dyslexia and related disorders and provide treatment. Thank you Representative Burlison, Representative Wood, and Senator Sifton!
Learn more about the bills here by entering the word “dyslexia” into the search bar:
Great news for Missouri families- Governor Nixon signed HB1614! HB1614 adds dyslexia to Bryce’s Law. Bryce’s Law establishes a scholarship fund for students whose needs aren’t being met by public schools. Under Bryce’s law, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) will be required to oversee the establishment of a scholarship fund and will also approve and monitor scholarship-granting organizations in the State. DESE will also be required to set up a website with a list of resources for parents. Regulations will be written over the next year so students can benefit as soon as the 2015-2016 school year. Adequate scholarships will require donations, so please think about whether or not your family or perhaps your employer can make a gift to one of the scholarship funds. Details about how to donate will be available by the 2015-2016 school year. Details about how children with dyslexia can apply for scholarships will be available then, too.
Great news for Missouri families! Senator Scott Sifton sponsored Senate Bill 984 that will define “Dyslexia” in the State Code and also require the Department of Education to hire a dyslexia specialist to oversee professional development and the creation of a Dyslexia Resource Guide. This is an important first step for Missouri families that have a child struggling with a diagnosis of dyslexia.
Please let Senator Sifton know that you appreciate his work on this important bill. You can click here to email him directly.
Share you enthusiasm about this bill with your local legislator, too. Click here to find your local legislator. Your Senatorial district will be listed first. Click on your legislator’s name and a link to their email can be found on the left hand side of their home page.
Sample of email to Senator Sifton:
Dear Senator Sifton,
Our family has faced many challenges as a result of our child’s diagnosis of dyslexia. Our greatest challenge, however, has been trying to get our child the services they need in a public school setting. Thank you for sponsoring Senate Bill 984.
Sincerely,
The Smith Family
-or-
Dear Senator Sifton,
Thank you for sponsoring Senate Bill 984. Your work on this issue will raise the awareness needed to bring about change for kids with dyslexia in Missouri.
Sincerely,
Jane Smith
Sample of an email to your local legislator:
Dear Senator,
Our family has faced many challenges as a result of our child’s diagnosis of dyslexia. Our greatest challenge, however, has been trying to get our child the services they need in a public school setting. Please support Senate Bill 984 which defines “Dyslexia” and requires the Department of Education to hire a Dyslexia Specialist to oversee professional development and the creation of a Dyslexia Resource Guide. These changes are needed to ensure children with dyslexia are better served in public schools.
Sincerely,
The Smith Family
-or-
Dear Senator,
Please support Senate Bill 984. Children with dyslexia are not adequately served by Missorui public schools.
Sincerely,
Jane Smith
Representative Eric Burlison was able to add dyslexia to the special needs section of House Bill 1614 (known as “Bryce’s Law”). This could provide much needed financial relief for some MO families, and it definitely raises the awareness of dyslexia at the state level.
If you would like to follow the progress of this bill, register at Legiscan for updates and bill tracking information.