Addressing Dyslexia in NJ Public Schools

Mandatory and ongoing training needs to be implemented for all professionals seeking a teaching certificate in the state of NJ

Its time for the schools to step up and provide screening for students, and training for teachers.

This is long overdue legislation.

Developing a program to bring Dyslexia in my community. Developing a program and resources with Dyslexia in my community. Bring attention to the CHURCH'S.

My daughter has dyslexia. She just started 2nd grade. She's had one diagnosis and will be going to a second evaluation at Goryeb (Morristown Memorial) in October. We've met with her school (September 2014) and they are still saying that they don't use the term "dyslexia" and that they were unaware of the law that says that schools have to screen for dyslexia by the first part of 2nd grade. Since she's reading on grade level (we've been going to tutors for months and working with her daily) and her writing is only "at risk" she is ineligible for services. And, they cannot screen her since they do not acknowledge that dyslexia exists and are unaware of the new laws. It's very frustrating to deal with this. We were told by the child study team that it's a "wait-to-fail" scenario and she wouldn't qualify until she was 2 grade levels behind. Of course, we'll have to pay for private tutoring and work hours on our own with her - so that she never is 2 grade levels behind. It's a catch 22. She'll never qualify, because we'll have to do all of the work privately to ensure that she is never 2 grade levels behind.

My son has just been diagnosed with Dyslexia and the school says he doesn't qualify for any services. He is 2.5 grade levels behind in reading and 3.5 in spelling. The laws need to change!

I have an 8 yr old son that has dyslexia, he can not read yet and the public school in our town are not capable to work with him, what are my options?

I have a 13 yr old who was diagnosed with dyslexia at 9 and it continues to be a struggle trying to get the public school system to give him an appropriate reading intervention program or strategies that he needs. What he has received has been because I take him elsewhere for outside services.

My son has sever dyslexia. I have been fighting now for three years with my school district to get him the appropriate services. I finally have had enough and hired a special education lawyer which is suing the district to protect my son's right.

I have a 14 y/o foster son who is at a K.8 reading level (less than 1st grade). Along with being mistreated by the foster care system his school has ignored his needs for the past 3 years that he has lived with us. We need to be the voice for our kids. How can we give them a future when the schools will not even acknowledge and work with their disabilities?

Kids are important

This is long overdue !!!

Have schools stop waiting till the child is failing to start testing. Test when the issue is noticed rather then gone to far.

We need early intervention and appropriate programs, like Wilson, for kids who learn differently!

As an educator who feels blessed to have taught dyslexic students, I am beyond thrilled attention is being brought to improve the ways we identify and educate children with dyslexia. Thank you, thank you for all of your hard work and tireless efforts.

My daughter is struggling and the school does not even recognize dyslexia. It is so frustrating.

Very important work.

I have a child that has dyslexia and would have GREATLY from a more understanding school system with screening and identification. Instead, I was told that she was a slow learner, a June birthday and because her behavior is so good...she has been just skating through...her frustration and esteem is plummeting...and I am finding it difficult navigating what to do....more needs to be done.

My daughter has dyslexia and struggles daily. She lagged behind her peers until I pushed the school to evaluate her in third grade. While she now has an IEP, our local public school district has no programs or staff dedicated to supporting students with dyslexia. At significant cost, we have resorted to private tutors certified in reading programs for dyslexics. We are fortunate we can do this for her. Given the duty of schools to educate all children regardless of the gifts or challenges, schools must be required to provide instruction which directly and specifically supports dyslexic learners.

My son and daughter both struggle on a daily basis with their dyslexia at school.