Schmaltz’s plan brings specialized, research-backed instruction to every district

State Rep. Kathy Schmaltz and the Michigan House recently voted to expand support for students with dyslexia and strengthen literacy outcomes statewide.

Schmaltz’s plan, House Bill 5081, ensures every school district has access to a teacher trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach – a proven, multisensory method for teaching reading to students with dyslexia.

“We must make sure every child in Michigan has a real chance to succeed in reading, including students with dyslexia,” said Schmaltz, R-Jackson. “By bringing a proven teaching method like Orton-Gillingham into every district, we will help more kids build the strong literacy foundation they need to thrive in school and beyond.”

The House Education and Workforce Committee previously heard testimony from local educators who came forward to support the plan and share how evidence-based literacy instruction is improving outcomes for students. Schmaltz said teachers have been asking for this training, and literacy funding is available in the state budget to help school districts offer it.

“Educators in our own communities are telling us that these strategies work, and students are seeing real results,” Schmaltz said. “By expanding access to proven instruction and supporting teacher training, we will remove barriers and open doors for thousands of kids.”

Dyslexia is a hereditary learning disability that affects how individuals read, write, and spell. Research from the National Institutes of Health has shown that about 20 percent of the U.S. population is affected by dyslexia. Walt Disney, Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein, Jennifer Aniston, Jay Leno, Susan Summers, Henry Winkler, Cher, Keanu Reeves, John Lennon, and Keira Knightley are just a few of the notable people with dyslexia.

“This is a commonsense step forward,” Schmaltz said. “We know what works, and now we’re making sure every school can put those tools into practice so no student falls behind.”

House Bill 5081 received bipartisan support in the House, advancing it to the Senate for further consideration.