NJSHA Lauds Effort for “Landmark” Literacy Legislation in New Jersey

State Legislature Addresses Language and Literacy Disorders; Bills Now on Governor’s Desk

TRENTON – July 12, 2024 – The New Jersey Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NJSHA), an organization representing more than 1,100 speech-language pathologists and audiologists in the state, played a key role in the passage of critical legislation through the state Legislature on June 28.

These bills, developed through a working committee led by Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz of Newark, now sit on Gov. Phil Murphy’s desk, awaiting signature. They include:

• S2644/S2645/S2646/A4303/A4304/A4309 – The proposed law requires the state Department of Education establish a working group on student literacy. The law mandates universal literacy screenings for students grades K-3 and would require professional development for certain school district employees.

• S2647/A2288 – The proposed law would establish an Office of Learning Equity and Academic Recovery in the state Department of Education.

Dr. Karen T. Kimberlin, a NJSHA member and speech-language pathologist (SLP) who specializes in language and literacy disorders, represented the Association on the working group.

“We applaud Senator Ruiz for her commitment and vision for leading the charge to ensure that New Jersey’s students receive the highest quality literacy support,” Dr. Kimberlin said. “It was an honor to serve on the working group that helped to shape these bills.  Moving forward, due to NJSHA’s input, the bill requires that a speech language specialist be part of the Working Group on Student Literacy in the Department of Education created by this landmark legislation.”

In her participation with the working group, Dr. Kimberlin highlighted the unique role in student literacy that SLPs play.

“Research shows that the `language of print’ is dependent on the development of listening and speaking, thus we need to look at a child’s oral language skills as a precursor to reading and writing,” she said. “Early screeners need to include an oral language component, not just letter-sound knowledge. SLPs are experts in language development, both oral expression and language comprehension, both critical to the development of literacy skills.”

Dr. Kimberlin underscores the need for school based SLPs to collaborate with school administrators and teachers to help them understand the role of oral language when it comes to reading and writing development.

“This is not something that is taught in professional preparation programs,” noted Dr. Kimberlin. “The legislation establishes a professional development program in foundational literacy instruction for various teaching staff members.  We were pleased to see speech language specialists explicitly listed among the school professionals eligible for this training.”   Speech language specialist (SLS) is the title used for school based SLPs.

While there is a national `push’ by many states and reading organizations to adhere to the `Science of Reading,’ we also need to recognize that there is a `Science of Language,’ Donna Spillman-Kennedy, NJSHA President, said. “The research supports the oral-written language connection and the need to identify at-risk students early and to provide evidence-based language and reading interventions,” she said.

NJSHA is pleased the fiscal ’25 state budget, adopted June 30, includes $5.25 million for literacy initiatives via the state Department of Education – more than double the amount that Murphy initially appropriated in his draft spending plan.

“We are so pleased that NJSHA is part of this timely, necessary legislation and programs,” Spillman-Kennedy added.

Learn more at njsha.org