HELENA, Mont. (NMB) – Billings Republican Senator Cary Smith has a personal connection to the bill he is sponsoring that would address how public schools screen for dyslexia.
“I though that we’ve know about it for a long time, so obviously we’ve got great programs going to teach kids with dyslexia how to read, but it didn’t turn out that way for us with my granddaughter.”
As Shaylee Ragar with the UM Legislative News Service reports, Smith presented Senate Bill 140 to the House Education Committee on Wednesday. It passed the Senate 50-0 in February. It would require Montana’s school districts to scree for dyslexia, a learning disability, between Kindergarten and second grade.
Esme Bartuska, a 9-year-old dyslexic student from Missoula, told lawmakers she has not felt supported in school.
“I felt that I was being told everyday that I am not smart enough, that I do not try hard enough, and that I do not work fast enough.”
The bill has 110 cosigners from both sides of the aisle. No on opposed the bill.
