HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

268

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

ENCOURAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH STANDARDS OF BRAILLE PROFICIENCY AND INSTRUCTION.

 

 

WHEREAS, every child, whether blind, visually impaired, or not, has the right to learn to read; and

WHEREAS, for children who are blind or visually impaired, this right should include provisions for instruction in braille and the use of braille appropriate to the child's current and future literacy needs; and

WHEREAS, for consistent and successful braille instruction, it is important to apply literacy standards that relate directly to braille education; and

WHEREAS, at least 33 states have already adopted braille literacy standards; and

WHEREAS, although these standards were adopted in various forms, most were based on a model prepared by the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), and two states that passed their own versions of braille literacy standards later amended them to conform to the NFB model; and

WHEREAS, adoption of braille literacy standards will help ensure that all blind or visually impaired children receive appropriate reading instruction; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Education (DOE) is encouraged to establish standards of braille instruction and proficiency; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in developing individualized education programs (IEP) for children who are blind or visually impaired, DOE make provisions for instruction in and use of braille; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if the IEP team determines after an evaluation of the child's reading and writing skills, needs, and a determination of an appropriate reading and writing medium for the child, including an evaluation of the child's future needs for instruction in or use of braille, that such instruction or use is not appropriate for the child, a statement be provided attesting that the determination was based on a review of pertinent assessments, including a specification of evidence used; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that instruction in reading and writing braille be sufficient to enable each blind or visually impaired child to communicate effectively and efficiently, with the same level of proficiency as is expected of the child's peers of comparable ability and grade level; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the child's IEP include or incorporate:

(1) Results obtained from evaluations of the child's reading and writing skills and needs, including an evaluation of the child's future needs for instruction in or use of braille;

(2) The manner in which braille will be implemented as the primary mode of learning through integration with other classroom activities;

(3) The date on which braille instruction will commence;

(4) A record of braille instruction services provided to the child; and

(5) The level of competency in braille reading and writing to be achieved and objective assessment measures to be used;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Superintendent of Education, Chairperson of the Board of Education, Executive Director of the Disability and Communication Access Board, President of the Honolulu Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind Hawaii, and Chairperson of the Hoopono Advisory Board.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

STANDARDS OF BRAILLE PROFICIENCY AND INSTRUCTION