§ 6-41-103 - Identification of children with specific learning disabilities. - Arkansas Statutes

6-41-103. Identification of children with specific learning disabilities.

(a) As used in this section, the term "specific learning disability" means a disorder in one (1) or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, which may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, write, spell, or to do mathematical calculations. The term includes such conditions as perceptual handicaps, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia. The term does not include children who have learning problems that are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor handicaps, of mental retardation, or of environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage.

(b) It is the intent of the General Assembly to identify children with specific learning disabilities and to provide training for teachers encountering children with these problems in the regular classroom. The intent is not to increase the identification of students in special education, but rather to increase the ability of teachers to meet the needs of these students in the regular classroom.

(c) (1) The Department of Education shall develop an in-service program to train teachers in the recognition of children with specific learning disabilities and in teaching strategies for those students.

(2) Districts are required to keep on file in their school district a plan for implementing the recognition of children with specific learning disabilities and for incorporating teaching strategies for those students in the regular classroom.

(d) The department shall adopt rules and regulations requiring all public schools in the state to identify all children with specific learning disabilities.