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.

According to bill, State Senate Bill S2400, approximately 85% of all children who receive special education services in New Jersey have basic deficits in language and reading. Currently, there is no statewide system or requirement for diagnosing children at any age. “Right now, the state only has to step in when the child is severely behind,”says Verona parent Elise Boatwright. “The effects of not diagnosing these reading issues early are disastrous—a child’s entire education can be affected.”

To show your support for the bill, e-mail Verona’s state senator Kevin O’Toole through his Web site. Make sure to put bill S2400 in the subject line.