Senate Hearing on Dyslexia and Educational Support
January 1, 2017
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The Frame
The hearing explores potential federal policy changes regarding how schools and testing agencies identify and provide accommodations for the estimated 20 percent of Americans with dyslexia.
Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.
Students with dyslexia
These individuals are the primary subjects of the policy discussions regarding identification and testing accommodations.
Testing agencies
These organizations are subject to requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act to provide accommodations for test-takers.
Educators and school administrators
These professionals are responsible for the early identification of dyslexia and the implementation of support services in schools.
Last recorded activity January 1, 2017.
Next step not available in the current record.
Summary
Key Facts
- The hearing was held on October 13, 2015, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
- Dyslexia is defined as an unexpected difficulty in reading characterized by a gap between an individual's intelligence and their reading level.
- An NIH study cited in the hearing estimates that dyslexia affects approximately 20 percent of the American population.
- A GAO report found that many students with learning disabilities are not receiving required accommodations, such as extended testing time, for high-stakes exams.
- High-stakes exams mentioned include the SAT, GRE, LSAT, and U.S. medical licensing exams.
- The Americans with Disabilities Act requires the provision of appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities during high-stakes testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary goal of this Senate hearing?
What specific issue regarding testing was raised?
Why It Matters
The hearing explores potential federal policy changes regarding how schools and testing agencies identify and provide accommodations for the estimated 20 percent of Americans with dyslexia.
News Coverage
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Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Focus on High-Stakes Testing Accommodations
The hearing marks a specific effort to bridge the gap between existing ADA requirements and the actual provision of accommodations in high-stakes professional and academic testing.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.govinfo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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