State senators voted unanimously on Thursday for legislation supporting children with language-based disabilities. As we reported last week, the new law requires New Jersey to set up a task force to explore a new mandate that public schools provide diagnostic testing for children with language deficits. The task force will also investigate instructional practices to benefit these students. An estimated 20% of all students have dyslexia or other language-based disability.
Verona schools Superintendent Charles Sampson responded positively to the news. “The bill represents an important step in assisting in the intervention of language delays with our youth,” said Sampson. “The task force would be able to highlight practices for intervention that are working for children, while making recommendations for the most effective means for school districts to respond to the language and reading needs of students who struggle in this area.” He said that Verona could benefit from the task force’s findings, provided the new commission works closely with school districts to come up with “tangible” recommendations to help struggling children.
