Illinois Law Passes, Helps Dyslexic Students

A new Illinois law aims to help dyslexic students.

The measure signed by Gov. Pat Quinn last Saturday entitles dyslexic students to special education services.

It also ensures educators are trained on how to better teach students with the learning disability.

Champaign Unit 4 Special Education Director Elizabeth deGruy said they need specific guidelines to determine how the law will function in Champaign schools.  

"There’s a law and that says in general what you’re supposed to do. And then there are the regulations; which tells you how to do it. And so, we don’t have any regulations that says what do this really look like in school,” said deGruy.

A reading advisory group was formed that will help create those guidelines for Illinois schools.

Currently, no special programs for dyslexic students are in place at Unit 4. deGruy said once recommendations are provided, the district can then implement those changes.