Educators urge lawmakers to address students with dyslexia, other reading difficulties

CHEYENNE — Wyoming educators urged state lawmakers on Thursday to form a literacy department within the Wyoming Department of Education, and to address several issues, including students struggling with reading difficulties like dyslexia.

A proposed bill draft also details new reporting requirements for school districts, tasks WDE to track student progress toward an 85% reading proficiency goal by the end of third grade, and mandates that school districts implement evidence-based reading assessment and intervention programs to screen for and address reading difficulties multiple times a year.

Finally, it outlines requirements for professional development in evidence-based literacy instruction for educators and proposes an appropriation to fund the new division.

The Wyoming Legislature’s