Yesterday, before the Wednesday evening deadline, Senators voted to expand the Dyslexia Scholarship program.
It passed with a vote of 30-19. House Bill 1046 will make improvements to the current scholarship program. The bill heads back to the House for further consideration after a reverse repealer was applied.
If passed into law the following changes will be made regarding the Dyslexia Scholarship program:
- The scholarships will be expanded to students through 12th grade. The program is currently only available through 6th grade. This will serve students who did not receive the appropriate dyslexia services when they were younger.
- Accredited private schools will be allowed to accept the scholarships, provided they meet all the standards, including employing Mississippi licensed dyslexia therapists. The program currently requires schools to be accredited by the Mississippi Department of Education. This limits the number of schools that can participate.
- Students living in border counties will be allowed to use the scholarship in another state, if appropriate educational services are not available within thirty miles of the student’s home.
The Dyslexia Scholarship program was first started in 2012.
“Today the State Senate voted to give students struggling with dyslexia hope and a new option for their education,” Grant Callen, president of Empower Mississippi said. “This will maintain the high standards for dyslexia services that are so important, but will help many more students receive the education they deserve.”
