Bill Text: NJ A811 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Provides for instruction in dyslexia awareness and methods of teaching students with dyslexia for candidates for teaching certificates and current teachers and paraprofessionals.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-01-12 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee [A811 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-A811-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
214th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2010 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman NELSON T. ALBANO
District 1 (Cape May, Atlantic and Cumberland)
SYNOPSIS
Provides for instruction in dyslexia awareness and methods of teaching students with dyslexia for candidates for teaching certificates and current teachers and paraprofessionals.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
An Act concerning required instruction for teachers and supplementing chapter 26 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, a regionally-accredited institution of higher education offering coursework for a New Jersey instructional certificate shall incorporate the recommendations developed by the Commissioner of Education pursuant to section 2 of this act on instruction in dyslexia awareness and methods of teaching students with dyslexia into existing course curriculum.
2. a. The Commissioner of Education shall develop recommendations for dyslexia awareness instruction and methods of teaching students with dyslexia for teacher preparation programs in accordance with section 1 of this act and shall submit the recommendations to the State Board of Education. In developing the recommendations, the commissioner shall consult with the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, representatives from entities that promote dyslexia awareness and provide programs and services to people with dyslexia including, but not limited to, the New Jersey chapter of the International Dyslexia Association, and representatives of the education community including, but not limited to, the New Jersey Education Association, the New Jersey School Boards Association, the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, and the New Jersey Professional Teaching Standards Board.
b. The Commissioner of Education shall develop recommendations to incorporate dyslexia awareness and methods of teaching students with dyslexia for teacher and paraprofessional in-service and other training programs, where appropriate, and shall submit the recommendations to the State Board of Education. In developing the recommendations, the commissioner shall consult with the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, representatives from entities that promote dyslexia awareness including, but not limited to, the New Jersey chapter of the International Dyslexia Association, and representatives of the education community including, but not limited to, the New Jersey Education Association, the New Jersey School Boards Association, the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, and the New Jersey Professional Teaching Standards Board.
c. The recommendations developed by the commissioner pursuant to subsections a. and b. of this section shall address the following:
(1) characteristics of students with dyslexia;
(2) curriculum planning, curricular and instructional modifications, adaptations, and specialized strategies and techniques;
(3) assistive technology; and
(4) inclusive educational practices, including collaborative partnerships.
3. The State Board of Education, based upon the recommendations developed by the Commissioner of Education pursuant to section 2 of this act, shall promulgate regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), necessary to implement the provisions of this act.
4. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill directs the Commissioner of Education to:
(1) develop recommendations for dyslexia awareness instruction and methods of teaching students with dyslexia for teacher preparation programs; and
(2) develop recommendations to incorporate dyslexia awareness instruction and methods of teaching students with dyslexia for teacher and paraprofessional in-service and other training programs. The recommendations must be submitted to the State Board of Education. In developing the recommendations, the commissioner must consult with the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, representatives from organizations that promote dyslexia awareness and provide programs and services to people with dyslexia, and representatives of the education community.
Under the bill, the commissioner's recommendations must address: characteristics of students with dyslexia; curriculum planning, curricular and instructional modifications, adaptations, and specialized strategies and techniques; assistive technology; and inclusive educational practices.
The bill also provides that, beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, a regionally-accredited institution of higher education offering coursework for a New Jersey instructional certificate must incorporate the recommendations developed by the Commissioner of Education pursuant to the bill's provisions.
