OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation allowing for easier updating of the Oklahoma Dyslexia Handbook has been approved by Governor Kevin Stitt.

In 2019, the Dyslexia and Education Task Force, appointed by the Legislature, created the Oklahoma Dyslexia Handbook for schools in Oklahoma. House Bill 2223, authored by Rep. Randy Randleman, R-Eufaula, assigns that handbook to the State Dept. of Education so it can be updated as needed to establish appropriate assessment and interventions for children with dyslexia, dysgraphia and processing delays.

“After working for decades with students experiencing a variety of learning disabilities, I know firsthand the significant role the Oklahoma Dyslexia Handbook will play in the education of thousands of children,” Randleman said. “It’s critical that these issues are identified and addressed as early as possible, and I look forward to seeing the difference it makes in these students’ lives as they are able to enjoy learning again.”

Randleman is a licensed psychologist and has worked with school-age children for over 20 years.

Rep. Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene, was a coauthor of the bill.

“The Oklahoma Dyslexia Handbook was something of extreme importance to my predecessor Mike Sanders, and something I vowed to see over the finish line for him,” Dobrinski said. “I’m glad to see this mission accomplished and the good it will do for countless children in our public schools.”

HB2223 was authored in the Senate by Sen. Dewayne Pemberton. It goes into effect Nov. 1, 2021.