• Dyslexia Services

    What's Required

    Texas state law requires that public school students be screened and tested, as appropriate, for dyslexia and related disorders at appropriate times in accordance with a program approved by the State Board of Education (SBOE). The program approved by the SBOE must include screening for each student at the end of the kindergarten year and during first grade. (TEC §38.003)

    Under state and federal law, school districts have the responsibility to identify, locate, and evaluate all children suspected of having a disability and who need special education and related services, commonly referred to as the Child Find obligation. When a student is suspected of having dyslexia, school districts must follow procedures for conducting a full and individual initial evaluation (FIIE) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to comply with Child Find mandates. (34 CFR § 300.111) 

    When concerning dyslexia, any multidisciplinary team convened to review a referral for an FIIE or to determine a student's eligibility for special education must include at least one member with specific knowledge regarding the reading process, dyslexia and related disorders, and dyslexia instruction. (TEC §29.0031)

    Once identified, a school district must ensure evidence-based dyslexia instruction is delivered with fidelity by a Provider of Dyslexia Instruction (PDI) to students with dyslexia or a related disorder. This instruction will include the required instructional and delivery components found in the SBOE's as described by a student's IEP (TAC §74.28). Parents/guardians will be provided information regarding the student's progress as a result of their dyslexia instruction every grading period. (TEC §29.0031)

    Districts are also required to report information regarding the identification of and services provided to students with dyslexia, as well as the results of the screening for dyslexia required for each student in Kindergarten and first grade, through the Texas Student Data System Public Education Information Management System (TSDS PEIMS). (19 TAC §74.28)

    Training that enables an educator to understand and recognize dyslexia, as well as implement instruction to meet the educational needs of their students with dyslexia, is provided for teachers (TEC §38.0032).  Districts are also required to provide parents of students enrolled in the district information on the characteristics of dyslexia, the evaluation and identification of dyslexia, effective instructional strategies for teaching students with dyslexia, the qualifications of and contact information for PDIs at each campus or school, instructional accommodations and modifications, the steps in the special education process, and how to request a copy and access the electronic version of the SBOE's "Dyslexia Handbook". (19 TAC §74.28)

    What We Do

    Screening

    All kindergarten and first grade students in 91ÖÆƬ³§ are screened for dyslexia. First grade students are screened no later than January 31st of each school year, and Kindergarten students are screened before the end of each school year. The results of this screening are shared with parents following the end of the screening window.

    Referral/Identification

    Students suspected of a disability and the need for specialized instruction are referred for a Full and Individual Initial Evaluation through Special Education. Please visit the Operating Procedures page for Full and Individual Initial Evaluations (FIIE) for specific procedures related to this process.

    Instruction

    91ÖÆƬ³§ serves students identified with dyslexia in kindergarten through grade 12 using research-based practices and curricula that meet the critical, evidence-based components of dyslexia instruction as outlined in the Texas Dyslexia Handbook, 2024 Update. Providers of Dyslexia Instruction may be general education teachers (Dyslexia Instructors) or special education teachers who are fully trained in the District's adopted instructional materials for students with dyslexia. Instruction is delivered to students in a small group setting and implemented with fidelity according to each program's guidelines. 

    Teacher Training & Parent Information

    Every year, all classroom teachers in 91ÖÆƬ³§ are provided training designed to build understanding and recognition of dyslexia, as well as strategies for implementing instruction to meet the educational needs of their students with dyslexia. For parents, 91ÖÆƬ³§ hosts an annual Dyslexia Information Seminar to help educate parents on the characteristics of dyslexia, how the special education evaluation process works, and the supports available for students with dyslexia. The District also maintains a parent information page on the Dyslexia website, titled Dyslexia 101 for Parents.

     

    Additional Resources