A bill for an act establishing the advanced dyslexia specialist endorsement competitive scholar program within the college student aid commission and making appropriations.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jeff Taylor

SF 72 establishes a competitive scholar program offering tuition reimbursement for teachers pursuing advanced dyslexia specialist endorsements, enhancing support for dyslexic students.

Committee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 286.

#appropriations #areaeducationagencies #collegestudentaidcommission #dyslexia #educationalexaminersboard #reports #schools #teachers #tuition

Bill Overview

Bill Number: SF 72
Title: A bill for an act establishing the advanced dyslexia specialist endorsement competitive scholar program within the college student aid commission and making appropriations.
Status: Committee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 286.
Introduced: January 21, 2025
Classification: Bill
Subject Areas: Appropriations, Area Education Agencies, College Student Aid Commission, Dyslexia, Educational Examiners Board, Reports, Schools, Teachers, Tuition

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of SF 72 is to establish a competitive scholar program aimed at providing financial support to teachers pursuing an advanced dyslexia specialist endorsement. This initiative is designed to enhance the skills of educators in addressing dyslexia, thereby improving educational outcomes for students with dyslexia in the state.

Key Provisions

Program Establishment: The bill establishes the Advanced Dyslexia Specialist Endorsement Competitive Scholar Program, which will be administered by the College Student Aid Commission.

Tuition Reimbursement: The program will offer tuition reimbursement to eligible teachers to help offset the costs associated with obtaining an advanced dyslexia specialist endorsement from the Board of Educational Examiners.

Eligibility Criteria:

Teachers must work in a school or area education agency within the state.
Applicants must be actively pursuing the advanced dyslexia specialist endorsement.

Application Process:

Teachers must complete and submit an application for tuition reimbursement.
Annual reapplication is required to maintain eligibility for continued reimbursement, including the submission of any necessary information as determined by the College Student Aid Commission.

Impact

Target Audience: The bill primarily affects teachers in the state who are seeking to specialize in dyslexia education. By providing financial assistance, the program aims to increase the number of qualified educators equipped to support students with dyslexia.

Educational Improvement: The initiative is expected to improve the quality of education for students with dyslexia by ensuring that more teachers are trained and certified in advanced dyslexia strategies.

Procedural Timeline

January 21, 2025: Bill introduced and referred to the Education Committee.

January 28, 2025: Subcommittee formed to review the bill.

February 3, 2025: Subcommittee meeting held.

February 6, 2025: Subcommittee recommends amendment and passage.

February 12, 2025: Committee report approving the bill; bill renumbered as SF 286.

This summary provides a clear understanding of SF 72, its objectives, and its potential impact on educators and students in the state.

Bill