Summary#
A-11716 would amend New York’s Education Law; it would not create a separate law. Its goal is to require screening for dyslexia and dysgraphia before students enter kindergarten. The bill was introduced and referred to the Assembly Education Committee; it is not law.
- The state education commissioner must require all school districts to screen all students for dyslexia and dysgraphia before they enter kindergarten.
- School districts must notify each enrolled student and the student’s parent or guardian. The notice must clearly describe the screening methods.
- The notice must let a parent or guardian opt the child out by checking a “do not screen my child” box.
- The bill would take effect 180 days after it becomes law.
What it means for you#
- Students and parents or guardians: If the bill becomes law, the district must provide notice of the screening and an opt-out choice. The bill does not say what happens if a parent or guardian does not return the notice.
- School districts: Districts would have to provide the notices. The commissioner would have to require districts to conduct the screenings.
- People entering kindergarten: The bill says screening must happen before entry to kindergarten. It does not explain how this timing applies to students who enter later or are already enrolled.
- Current requirements: The supplied material does not include the existing Education Law, so I could not verify what screening or notice requirements already apply.
Money#
No cost information is in the available material.
- The bill does not provide a spending estimate or say how screening and notices would be funded.
- It does not specify staffing or other resources districts would need.
What is unclear#
- The bill does not define “screen” or specify which screening methods districts must use.
- It does not explain how districts should handle a parent or guardian’s opt-out, including when the notice is not returned.
- It does not set rules for how screening results are shared or what follow-up, if any, must occur.
- It does not say how the requirement would apply to students who enter school after kindergarten or who are already enrolled.
- Because the existing Education Law was not supplied, the bill’s overlap with current screening rules is unclear.
Case for#
- The bill appears intended to identify possible dyslexia and dysgraphia before kindergarten.
- Requiring screening in every district could set a statewide requirement rather than leaving the decision to individual districts.
- The notice and opt-out choice would inform parents and guardians and let them decline screening for their child.
Case against#
- The bill does not specify screening methods, leaving the commissioner or districts to determine an important part of how the requirement works.
- It requires screening but does not set out what support or follow-up students receive after a screening.
- Districts would have to arrange screenings and send notices, but the bill gives no cost estimate or funding plan.
- The opt-out process is not fully explained, including what happens if a family does not respond.