A resolution calling on Congress, schools, and State and local educational agencies to recognize the significant educational implications of dyslexia that must be addressed, and designating October 2020 as "National Dyslexia Awareness Month".

III 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION S. RES. 765 Calling on Congress, schools, and State and local educational agencies to recognize the significant educational implications of dyslexia that must be addressed, and designating October 2020 as ‘‘National Dyslexia Awareness Month’’. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES OCTOBER 26 (legislative day, OCTOBER 19), 2020 Mr. CASSIDY (for himself, Ms. WARREN, Mr. MURPHY, Mr. KING, Mr. BOOZMAN, and Mrs. CAPITO) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary NOVEMBER 12, 2020 Committee discharged; considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Calling on Congress, schools, and State and local educational agencies to recognize the significant educational implica- tions of dyslexia that must be addressed, and designating October 2020 as ‘‘National Dyslexia Awareness Month’’. Whereas dyslexia is— (1) defined as an unexpected difficulty in reading for an individual who has the intelligence to be a much bet- ter reader; and (2) most commonly caused by a difficulty in phono- logical processing (the appreciation of the individual sounds of spoken language), which affects the ability of VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:08 Nov 13, 2020 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR765.ATS SR765 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 SRES 765 ATS an individual to speak, read, spell, and, often, the ability to learn a second language; Whereas the First Step Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–391) included a definition of dyslexia as part of the require- ment of the Act to screen inmates for dyslexia upon in- take in Federal prisons; Whereas the definition of dyslexia in section 3635 of title 18, United States Code, as added by section 101(a) of the First Step Act of 2018, is the first and only definition of dyslexia in a Federal statute; Whereas dyslexia is the most common learning disability and affects 80 to 90 percent of all individuals with a learning disability; Whereas dyslexia is persistent and highly prevalent, affecting as many as 1 out of every 5 individuals; Whereas dyslexia is a paradox, in that an individual with dys- lexia may have both— (1) weaknesses in decoding that result in difficulties with accurate or fluent word recognition; and (2) strengths in higher-level cognitive functions, such as reasoning, critical thinking, concept formation, and problem solving; Whereas great progress has been made in understanding dys- lexia on a scientific level, including the epidemiology and cognitive and neurobiological bases of dyslexia; Whereas the achievement gap between typical readers and dyslexic readers occurs as early as first grade; and Whereas early screening for, and early diagnosis of, dyslexia are critical for ensuring that individuals with dyslexia re- ceive focused, evidence-based intervention that leads to fluent reading, the promotion of self-awareness and self- VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:08 Nov 13, 2020 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR765.ATS SR765 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 SRES 765 ATS empowerment, and the provision of necessary accom- modations that ensure success in school and in life: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) calls on Congress, schools, and State and 2 local educational agencies to recognize that dyslexia 3 has significant educational implications that must be 4 addressed; and 5 (2) designates October 2020 as ‘‘National Dys- 6 lexia Awareness Month’’. 7 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:08 Nov 13, 2020 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR765.ATS SR765 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS