National data shows dyslexia affects between 10 and 20 percent of the U.S. population. A federal law, called the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA), says dyslexic students are entitled to special education services. However, the law doesn’t specify what those services should be.
As a result, some states have adopted their own laws to address the learning disability. Georgia may soon be among them. The state Senate Wednesday unanimously passed Senate Bill 48, which would require schools to screen students in grades K-2 for traits of dyslexia. It would also offer training for teachers in methods used to teach dyslexic children.
Myth vs. Reality
The first known case of dyslexia was recorded more than 100 years ago, but Sally Shaywitz said she meets plenty of people who still misunderstand it.
Read this story now for free
To continue reading, sign up for our newsletter and get unlimited access to WABE.org
You can select your preferences for news and local content. We will never share your email address. Learn how your newsletter sign-up will support WABE and Public Media
