Bill Text: VA HJR488 | 2023 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Dyslexia Awareness Month; designating as October 2023 and each succeeding year thereafter.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 18-3)
Status: (Passed) 2023-02-14 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ488ER) [HJR488 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2023-HJR488-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, a specific learning disability related to a deficit in the phonological component of language, dyslexia is neurobiological in origin and causes problems with decoding and identifying speech sounds and understanding how they relate to words and letters; and
WHEREAS, approximately one in five students in the United States are affected by a language-based learning disability, and dyslexia is the most common of the language-based learning disabilities in the country; and
WHEREAS, the achievement gap between typical readers and dyslexic readers occurs as early as first grade, and it is critical to provide effective teaching approaches and related clinical educational intervention strategies for individuals with dyslexia; and
WHEREAS, early screening for and early diagnosis of dyslexia can ensure that individuals with dyslexia receive focused, evidence-based intervention that leads to fluent reading, the promotion of self-awareness and self-empowerment, and the provision of necessary accommodations to build success in school and in life; and
WHEREAS, many successful individuals, including people in business, government, sports, and entertainment, have overcome learning difficulties related to dyslexia; and
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth has many regulations and programs in place to improve the lives of individuals with dyslexia through intervention, screening, and service requirements; and
WHEREAS, Dyslexia Awareness Month provides an opportunity to acknowledge educators specializing in effective teaching strategies and to celebrate the many achievements of adolescents, students, and adults with dyslexia; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly designate October, in 2023 and in each succeeding year, as Dyslexia Awareness Month in Virginia; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates transmit a copy of this resolution to the Virginia Branch of the International Dyslexia Association so that members of the organization may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter; and, be it
RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates post the designation of this month on the General Assembly's website.
