Senator Todd, sponsor, presented House Bill 19-1134, which concerns researching effective methods for assisting early-grade students with dyslexia.

Melissa Colsman, Associate Commissioner for Student Learning, Colorado Department of Education, came to the table to answer questions from the committee.

Sue Hirsch, representing herself as a parent, spoke in opposition to the bill.

Kristen DeBeer, representing herself as a parent, spoke in support of the bill.

Michael Bucey, representing himself as a parent, spoke in support of the bill.  He distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment F).

Lindsey Drakos, representing Colorado Kids Identified with Dyslexia (COKID), spoke in support of the bill.  She distributed two handouts to the committee (Attachments G and H).

Natalie Mitchell, representing herself as a dyslexic student, spoke in support of the bill.

Amy Dubronyi, representing COKID, spoke in support of the bill.

Cali Nichols, representing COKID, spoke in support of the bill.

Karin Johnson, representing COKID, spoke in support of the bill.  She distributed two handouts to the committee (Attachments I and J).

Michael Neil, representing the Colorado Cross Disability Coalition, spoke in support of the bill.

Laura Mitchell, representing COKID, spoke in support of the bill.  

Jennifer Atlas, representing herself, spoke in support of the bill.

Lisa Escarcega, Executive Director of the Colorado Association of School Executives and also representing the Colorado Rural Alliance, spoke in support of the bill.

Kaden Forsha, representing himself as a dyslexic student, spoke in support of the bill.

Jennifer Forsha, representing herself as a parent of a dyslexic student, spoke in support of the bill.

Lindsey Drakos came back to the table to answer questions from the committee.

Senator Todd provided closing comments on the bill. Committee discussion ensued.