STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — New York City will provide literacy screeners to all public school students to identify those at risk of dyslexia and provide supports they need to succeed, Mayor Eric Adams announced on Thursday.

Dyslexia affects the ability to read, write and process letters, words and numbers in a way and speed that others take for granted. Children who are diagnosed with dyslexia are usually given the broader tag of “learning disabled” on their Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs). “Dyslexia is not a disadvantage,” said Adams. “It’s just a different way of learning. And all the children need, they need the tools to know how to understand how they comprehend information, and that is what we are giving them in this initiative. We are going to have the largest, most comprehensive approach to supporting students with dyslexia in the country.” Adams called the new initiative a multi-pronged effort. All students will continue to be screened for literacy three times a year. Students who repeatedly score significantly below their peers will be selected to participate in pilot programs with specific screenings for dyslexia, according to Schools Chancellor David Banks.

Identifying dyslexia early will allow the city to give those students support early, and ensure they have “the right support as they move throughout their education.”

The screeners offered in public schools for free will allow every child in every city zip code to get the help they need. Read the full story here