Texas Senate Bill SB185

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to information regarding the number of public school students with dyslexia.

Impact

The proposed law intends to streamline data collection about dyslexia, thereby aiding the Texas Education Agency (TEA) in maintaining accurate statistics regarding the number of students affected by this learning disability. By requiring school districts to furnish this information, the state can better assess the needs of these students and allocate resources more effectively. This move is expected to not only uplift the academic experiences of students with dyslexia but also inform educators and policymakers about the scope of dyslexia in schools across Texas.

Summary

Senate Bill 185 (SB185) pertains to the obligation of public schools and open-enrollment charter schools in Texas to report information regarding students identified as having dyslexia. The bill mandates that the commissioner of education shall develop rules requiring these educational institutions to report the number of dyslexic students through the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS). This legislative change aims to enhance awareness and understanding of the prevalence of dyslexia among students in Texas schools.

Contention

Despite the potential benefits, the bill may encounter contention regarding privacy concerns and the administrative burden it could impose on school districts. Critics may argue that requiring schools to report such specific data may lead to the mismanagement of sensitive student information. Additionally, some stakeholders could raise concerns about the adequacy of support systems in place for schools with higher rates of dyslexia, suggesting that merely reporting the data without providing adequate resources may not be sufficient to address the underlying issues faced by these students.