ENROLLED ORIGINAL
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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
25-129
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
October 3, 2023
To recognize October as International Dyslexia Awareness Month, and to declare October 2023
as “Dyslexia Awareness Month” in the District of Columbia.
WHEREAS, dyslexia is a language-based learning disability that refers to a cluster of
symptoms, which result in people having difficulties with specific language skills, particularly
reading;
WHEREAS, dyslexia affects approximately 20 percent of the population and represents
nearly 90 percent of all those with learning disabilities. It is the most common of all neuro-
cognitive disorders;
WHEREAS, dyslexia affects all segments of society, regardless of race, income,
educational background or ability and is not an indication of a lack of intelligence or desire to
learn. Dyslexia is not rare, and affects individuals throughout their lives; however, its impact can
change at different stages in a person’s life;
WHEREAS, dyslexia occurs in people of all backgrounds and intellectual levels. People
with dyslexia are often gifted in areas such as art, computer science, design, drama, electronics,
mechanics, music, physics, sales, and sports; however, dyslexia also can be associated with other
learning challenges in areas such as writing, spelling, mathematics, speech, language processing,
executive function, fine motor skills, attention or mental health;
WHEREAS, literacy is a critical skill for educational success. Students who do not read
at grade level by third grade are four times more likely not to graduate from high school;
WHEREAS, early detection and proper diagnosis, structured scientifically- based
reading intervention supports, and the provision of necessary accommodations are critical to
ensure school and life success for those with dyslexia;
WHEREAS, teachers and students across the District of Columbia benefit from increased
educator professional training about dyslexia and scientifically- based teaching strategies designed
to better identify and educate students with dyslexia; ENROLLED ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, the District of Columbia is committed to equity in educational opportunities
through identifying obstacles to educational advancement and endeavoring to remove those
obstacles;
WHEREAS, to that end, the District of C olumbia Public Schools (DCPS) started a dyslexia
task force in January 2020;
WHEREAS, the Council also passed the Addressing Dyslexia and Other Reading
Difficulties Amendment Act of 2020 (D.C. Law 23-191) to require the Office of the State
Superintendent for Education (OSSE) to: (1) provide dyslexia awareness and other reading
difficulties training to all educators; (2) provide educators with professional development on
recognizing reading difficulties, screening for reading difficulties, and implementing instruction
that meet the needs of students with reading difficulties; (3) compile a list of recommended
screening instruments and protocols that LEAs may use to identify students who are at risk of
reading difficulties; and (4) provide guidance on specialized, multi-tiered remediation and
intervention instruction which is aligned to a science-based reading program; and
WHEREAS, Dyslexia Awareness Month is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate
the many achievements of children, adolescents, and adults with dyslexia, to foster awareness
across the District of Columbia with the goal of empowering families and educators who are aiding
students with dyslexia, and to continue to advocate for academic support in the District ’s public
schools so students with dyslexia can achieve overall success.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, T hat this
resolution may be cited as the “October is Dyslexia Awareness Month Recognition Resolution of
2023.”
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia honors those working to provide education
and treatment to individuals affected by dyslexia in the District of Columbia, recognizes the month
of October as International Dyslexia Awareness Month, and declares October 2023 as “Dyslexia
Awareness Month” in the District of Columbia.
Sec. 3. This r esolution shall take effect immediately .