Public Act 0602 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB4352 Enrolled LRB099 15483 NHT 39772 b

Public Act 099-0602

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The School Code is amended by changing Section 2-3.161 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.161)

Sec. 2-3.161. Definition of dyslexia in rules; reading instruction advisory group.

(a) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules that incorporate, in both general education and special education, the following an international definition of dyslexia: into Part 226 of Title 23 of the Illinois Administrative Code.

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. Dyslexia is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.

(b) Subject to specific State appropriation or the availability of private donations, the State Board of Education shall establish an advisory group to develop a training module or training modules to provide education and professional development to teachers, school administrators, and other education professionals regarding multi-sensory, systematic, and sequential instruction in reading. This advisory group shall complete its work before December 15, 2015 and is abolished on December 15, 2015.

(Source: P.A. 98-705, eff. 7-14-14; 99-65, eff. 7-16-15; 99-78, eff. 7-20-15.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.