(A) There is created a Learning Disorders Task Force for the purpose of working with the department in matters relating to reading disorders to include, but not be limited to, dyslexia. The State Superintendent of Education shall convene the first meeting at which time a chair shall be elected by the task force. The task force is composed of nine members as follows:

(1) an education specialist in school psychology appointed by the State Superintendent of Education, for a term of three years;

(2) a representative from the South Carolina branch of the International Dyslexia Association, appointed by the president of the association for a term of three years;

(3) a special education teacher with an understanding of reading difficulties including, but not limited to, dyslexia, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education for a term of three years;

(4) a primary school teacher, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education for a term of three years;

(5) a middle school teacher, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education for a term of three years;

(6) a high school teacher, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education for a term of three years;

(7) a parent of a child with dyslexia, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education for a term of three years;

(8) a certified school speech pathologist, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education for a term of three years; and

(9) a member in good standing of the South Carolina Optometric Physicians Association, appointed by that association's board of directors for a term of three years.

(B) Initially, the members representing subsections (A)(1), (3), (5), (7), and (9) shall serve terms of five years or until their successors are appointed and qualified. At the end of the first appointment term for these members, new appointments shall serve terms of three years or until their successors are appointed and qualified. All appointments must be provided to the State Superintendent of Education by July 1, 2018. The terms of the members shall commence July 1, 2018.

(C) A vacancy must be filled in the same manner of the original appointment for the unexpired portion of the term. A member may be appointed to successive terms.

(D) The members of the task force shall serve without compensation, mileage, per diem, or subsistence allowances.

(E) The task force shall meet at least quarterly. A quorum consists of a majority of the membership of the task force.

(F) The task force shall coordinate with the department and the South Carolina branch of the International Dyslexia Association in the identification of universal screening tools to be used pursuant to Section 59-33-520, and collaborate with the department in the creation of the reporting guidelines required by Section 59-33-540.

HISTORY: 2018 Act No. 213 (H.4434), Section 1, eff May 18, 2018.