COKID CALL TO ACTION!
January 29-31

URGENT- Parents of COKID have been working tirelessly to enact legislation for our Kids. House Bill 19-1134 was just introduced!! 

https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2018A/bills/2018a_1134_01.pdf

Unfortunately it is insufficient and includes an unnecessary PILOT that would delay action until at least 2024! Please call both your House and Senate representatives as well as leadership and members of both Education Committees to support the bill WITH changes (outlined below in the suggested script). It is CRITICAL that the legislature hear from YOU!!! We need hundreds of calls January 29th-30th to make sure our voices are heard! 

Find your legislator - put your zip code into the search bar on the map: https://leg.colorado.gov/find-my-legislator

It is critical that Education Committee members know we support legislation with changes detailed in the script below because they can propose Amendments to the current bill. Contact info for all members of the Education Committees: 


Here is our suggested script:
Hi, my name is ____________________and my zip code is ____________. I am your constituent. (Unless talking to an Education Committee member that is not your representative). 

I’m calling about Colorado House Bill 19-1134 to address Dyslexia that was introduced on January 25^th. 

My family is personally affected by dyslexia and I support Colorado finally addressing this issue like so many states have already done.  FEEL FREE TO SHARE A SHORT VERISON OF YOUR STORY HERE
Dyslexia affects 12-20% of the population- that means that there are probably 3-5 dyslexic students in every classroom in Colorado.  And we know that 60% of 3^rdgraders in Colorado are not reading at grade level.  We also know that poor reading skills lead to a lifetime of missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential.

The current bill is for a dyslexia working group and a dyslexia pilot program.
I support the proposed legislation with some amendments:  
- Remove the pilot program - A voluntary dyslexia pilot program that doesn’t report to legislators until 2024 doesn’t get change into the classroom for at least 5-6 years. 
- We need a working group or a legislative interim committee with members appointed by the legislators and we’d like Legislators ON that committee.
- We’d like that committee to report by 12/31/19.  Right now the bill is written to have the working group reporting to legislators in FEB 2021.  Those 24 months could mean the world to a kid struggling with dyslexia and their family! 
- We also think there’s an opportunity to amend the READ Act to include a dyslexia screener.
 
Further notes that you can use in your message:

• There is proven science in how to teach dyslexic kids; few schools are doing it.
• We need professional development for educators 
• We need to identify dyslexic kids before they fall behind – right now IEPs for the Specific Learning Disabilities PEAK IN 6^thGRADE.  This is far too late and is causing our students harm.
• We need to require evidence- based instruction and intervention.
• The First Step Act, a prison reform bill, was signed into US law in December 2018. It requires screening and intervention of dyslexia for all federal prisoners! Since 48% of prisoners have characteristics of dyslexia*, this is wonderful. But how can we rightfully provide this for prisoners, but not children? 
• The time is now for Colorado to make a difference for dyslexic kids – not in 2024!
• We need to join 28 other states requiring dyslexia screening, 
• 21 other states requiring professional development surrounding the foundations of reading and dyslexia and others requiring evidence-based instruction and intervention.  

FACTS/DETAILS IF NEEDED
HB 19-1134     
House Sponsors:      
Janet Buckner (D-Aurora/Arapahoe County) 
Jim Wilson (R-Chafee/Custer/Fremont /Park Counties)
Senate Sponsor:
Nancy Todd (D- Arapahoe County)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Email: info@cokid.org with any questions!