HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY ACT (P.L. 110-315)

TITLE IX

SEC. 1116. STUDY ON TEACHING STUDENTS WITH READING DISABILITIES.

(a) Independent Evaluation- The Secretary of Education shall enter into an agreement with the Center for Education of the National Academies for a scientifically-based study of the quality of teacher education programs—

(1) to determine if teachers are adequately prepared to meet the needs of students with reading and language processing disabilities, including dyslexia; and

(2) to determine the extent to which teacher education programs are based on the essential components of reading instruction and scientifically valid research.

(b) Components- The study conducted under subsection (a) shall be designed to provide statistically reliable information on--

(1) the number, type of courses, and credit hours required to meet the requirements of reading degree programs of teacher education programs; and

(2) the extent to which the content of the reading degree programs are based on--

(A) the essential components of reading instruction and scientifically valid research, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension; and

(B) early intervention strategies based on scientific evidence concerning challenges to the development of language processing capacity, including dyslexia, and the extent to which such strategies are effective in preventing reading failure before it occurs.

(c) Scope- The Director of the Center for Education of the National Academy of Sciences shall select for participation in the study under subsection (a) a diverse group of institutions of higher education with respect to size, mission, and geographic distribution.

(d) Interim and Final Reports- The Director of the Center for Education of the National Academy of Sciences shall submit to the authorizing committees and the Secretary of Education --

(1) an interim report regarding the study under subsection (a) not later than one year after the date the Center for Education of the National Academies enters into an agreement with the Secretary of Education under this section; and

(2) a final report summarizing the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of such study not later than two years after the date the Center for Education of the National Academies enters into such agreement.

(e) Task Force-

(1) ESTABLISHMENT- Upon submission of the final report under subsection (d)(2), the Secretary of Education shall establish a task force to make policy recommendations to the Secretary regarding the findings of the report.

(2) MEMBERSHIP- The membership of the task force established under paragraph (1) shall include chief State school officers, State reading consultants, master teachers, national reading experts, and researchers with expertise in relevant fields.

(3) PUBLIC HEARINGS- The task force established under paragraph (1) shall hold public hearings to provide an opportunity for public comment on the recommendations made under paragraph (1).