Section 167.950

Title XI EDUCATION AND LIBRARIES

Chapter 167

Effective - 28 Aug 2016   

  167.950.  Dyslexia screening guidelines — screenings required, when — definitions — rulemaking authority. — 1.  (1)  By December 31, 2017, the department of elementary and secondary education shall develop guidelines for the appropriate screening of students for dyslexia and related disorders and the necessary classroom support for students with dyslexia and related disorders.  Such guidelines shall be consistent with the findings and recommendations of the task force created under section 633.420.

  (2)  In the 2018-19 school year and subsequent years, each public school, including each charter school, shall conduct dyslexia screenings for students in the appropriate year consistent with the guidelines developed by the department of elementary and secondary education.

  (3)  In the 2018-19 school year and subsequent years, the school board of each district and the governing board of each charter school shall provide reasonable classroom support consistent with the guidelines developed by the department of elementary and secondary education.

  2.  In the 2018-19 school year and subsequent years, the practicing teacher assistance programs established under section 168.400 shall offer and include two hours of in-service training provided by each local school district for all practicing teachers in such district regarding dyslexia and related disorders.  Each charter school shall also offer all of its teachers two hours of training on dyslexia and related disorders.  Districts and charter schools may seek assistance from the department of elementary and secondary education in developing and providing such training.  Completion of such training shall count as two contact hours of professional development under section 168.021.

  3.  For purposes of this section, the following terms mean:

  (1)  "Dyslexia", a disorder that is neurological in origin, characterized by difficulties with accurate and fluent word recognition and poor spelling and decoding abilities that typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language, often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction, and of which secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.  Nothing in this definition shall require a student with dyslexia to obtain an individualized education program (IEP) unless the student has otherwise met the federal conditions necessary;

  (2)  "Dyslexia screening", a short test conducted by a teacher or school counselor to determine whether a student likely has dyslexia or a related disorder in which a positive result does not represent a medical diagnosis but indicates that the student could benefit from approved support;

  (3)  "Related disorders", disorders similar to or related to dyslexia, such as developmental auditory imperception, dysphasia, specific developmental dyslexia, developmental dysgraphia, and developmental spelling disability;

  (4)  "Support", low-cost and effective best practices, such as oral examinations and extended test-taking periods, used to support students who have dyslexia or any related disorder.

  4.  The state board of education shall promulgate rules and regulations for each public school to screen students for dyslexia and related disorders and to provide the necessary classroom support for students with dyslexia and related disorders.  Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028.  This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2016, shall be invalid and void.

  5.  Nothing in this section shall require the MO HealthNet program to expand the services that it provides.

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(L. 2016 H.B. 2379 merged with S.B. 635 merged with S.B. 638)