SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 48

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Cynthia Nava

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO INCLUDE DYSLEXIA IN THE STATE DEFINITION OF DISABILITIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF INTERPRETING THE FEDERAL INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT, TO IDENTIFY EFFECTIVE INTERVENTIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DYSLEXIA AND TO ESTABLISH CERTIFICATION CRITERIA FOR SPECIALISTS WHO ASSIST STUDENTS WITH DYSLEXIA.

     WHEREAS, the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act recognizes that persons with dyslexia shall be provided with educational services to address their disability; and

     WHEREAS, the Public School Code has not defined dyslexia or instituted educational diagnostic evaluations and has not recommended educational services to address dyslexia; and  

     WHEREAS, scientists and leaders from the national institute of child health and human development, the education council, the academic language therapy association and the international dyslexia association have identified the skills needed by teachers and therapists, have developed certification requirements for specialists in the field and have accredited professional training programs that prepare persons with dyslexia;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the secretary of public education be requested to adopt a specific definition of dyslexia, to identify dyslexia as a specific disability for purposes of New Mexico's interpretation of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and to establish effective interventions and specialized public school education programs for students that address this specific language disability; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the secretary of public education begin to establish certification criteria for specialists to carry out public school education programs to assist students with dyslexia; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the secretary of public education report findings and make recommendations to the legislative education study committee by August 2009; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the director of the legislative education study committee, the secretary of public education and

the superintendents of all public school districts.

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