Legislative Resources

Does your state have an ALTA Chapter?

• Yes

Does your state legislature meet every year?

• Yes

Does your state have a Dyslexia Handbook?

• Yes, https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Files/DRG-App-I-TOC_20210923084612.pdf

Does your state have a Dyslexia Law? If so, what is covered by that law?

• Yes, The Arkansas State Legislature enacted Act 1294 of the 2013 regular session to ensure that children with dyslexia have their needs met by all Arkansas public school systems. ACT 1268 of 2015 amended parts of the original legislation. The legislation defines dyslexia, describes required screening and intervention and lists required actions of the state, education cooperatives, and school districts.

During the past legislative sessions, have any bills passed related to dyslexia?

• Yes, Arkansas HB1891. This is “An act to create a network of Certified Academic Language Therapists to provide a specialized dyslexia program for public school students with dyslexia or related reading and written-language difficulties; and for other purposes.” The link to the act is: https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/FTPDocument?path=%2FBills%2F2021R%2FPublic%2FHB1891.pdf

If your state does have dyslexia legislation already passed, does it specify any certification or accreditation organization by name? Does it include a description of MSLE coursework and practicum?

• HB 1891 specifies an IMSLEC-accredited course for the legislation regarding CALTs. ACT 1268 stipulates that the person delivering therapy must be trained in a program and lists the components.

State Legislative Contact:

• Holly Stokes

Does your state have an ALTA Chapter? 

• Yes, RMC

Does your state legislature meet every year?

• Yes

Does your state have a Dyslexia Handbook?

• Yes, Colorado Dept of Ed Dyslexia Handbook

Does your state have a Dyslexia Law? If so, what is covered by that law?

• Yes If so, what is covered by that law? House Bill 19-1134: Passed in May 2019. This bill set into action a Dyslexia Working Group, composed of stakeholders and educators from across the state tasked with reviewing the work of other states and experts to learn about identification and educational support for students with dyslexia. They will use their findings to inform future efforts by state and local education providers to identify and effectively support students with dyslexia. The DWG submits annual reports (DWC 2020) to the commissioner with policy recommendations. The bill also establishes a pilot program- page 10 Jan 2021 to assist local education providers in using READ Act** assessments to screen for dyslexia and in providing interventions for students who are identified as having dyslexia.

**READ Act: Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act 2012: passed by the Colorado legislature in 2012, giving the state the guiding philosophy, structure, and resources to get children reading at grade level by the time they enter the fourth grade. SB 19-199- Adjustments to the READ Act requiring teacher education (K-3) in evidence-based literacy instruction that includes the Elementary Teacher Literacy Standards – required to receive pp intervention or grant monies. (ELG)

During the past legislative sessions, have any bills passed related to dyslexia?

• In Colorado, we have 2 laws: the READ Act** and the Dyslexia Legislation HB 1134.

If your state does have dyslexia legislation already passed, does it specify any certification or accreditation organization by name? Does it include a description of MSLE coursework and practicum?

• No. There is a requirement for all K-3 teachers: Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction in Elementary Teacher Standards.

State Legislative Contact:

• Carolyn Storz

Does your state have an ALTA Chapter? 

• Yes

Does your state legislature meet every year?

• Yes

Does your state have a Dyslexia Handbook?

• Yes

Does your state have a Dyslexia Law? If so, what is covered by that law?

• Yes. 7/14/14: the law requires 2 activities of the Illinois State Board of Education: 1) Adopt rules that incorporate an international definition of dyslexia; and, 2) Subject to funding, establish an advisory board to develop a training module to provide education and professional development to teachers, school administrators, and other educational professionals regarding multi-sensory, systematic, and sequential instruction in reading. No funding was appropriated. However, a Reading Instruction Advisory Group (RAIG) was established to discuss this important topic and review various assessment/diagnostic materials, program and method materials, professional development materials, and other resources specific to dyslexia. The results of the materials reviewed by the advisory group are offered as a Tool Kit.
• 1/13/16: changes were made to the Special Education Regulations: 1) Adopted an official definition of dyslexia (IDA’s); 2) Dyslexia is one of a number of disorders included as a specific learning disability that may adversely affect the student’s educational performance and result in the eligibility for special education and related services; and, 3) Each child suspected of having dyslexia or identified as dyslexic shall be referred for an evaluation.

During the past legislative sessions, have any bills passed related to dyslexia?

• Pending as of 2/26/2021: Amends the School Code. Provides for dyslexia screening guidelines and rules. Requires the State Board of Education to provide technical assistance for specific learning disabilities to school districts. Provides that, beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, each school district must screen students in grades K-2nd for the risk factors of dyslexia using a universal screener. Sets forth what the screening must include. Provides for additional screening for a student who is determined to be at risk, or at some risk, for dyslexia to determine if the student has the characteristics of dyslexia. Requires the use of a multi-tiered system of support framework if screening indicates that a student has some risk factors for dyslexia or has the characteristics of dyslexia. Sets forth provisions concerning exceptions to screening, dyslexia intervention services, and reporting.

If your state does have dyslexia legislation already passed, does it specify any certification or accreditation organization by name? Does it include a description of MSLE coursework and practicum?

• No. 

State Legislative Contact:

• Terri Sendelbach

Does your state have an ALTA Chapter? 

• Yes

Does your state legislature meet every year?

• Yes

Does your state have a Dyslexia Handbook?

• Yes

Does your state have a Dyslexia Law? If so, what is covered by that law?

• No

During the past legislative sessions, have any bills passed related to dyslexia?

• Yes, they have passed the recommendations from the Dyslexia Task Force.

If your state does have dyslexia legislation already passed, does it specify any certification or accreditation organization by name? Does it include a description of MSLE coursework and practicum?

• Yes, they would like teachers trained as CALPs and CALTs but they still do not really understand what this means.

State Legislative Contact:

• Tammy Kofford

Does your state have an ALTA Chapter? 

• Yes

Does your state legislature meet every year?

• Yes

Does your state have a Dyslexia Handbook?

• Yes. It is referred to as a bulletin regarding guidelines for students with dyslexia.

Does your state have a Dyslexia Law? If so, what is covered by that law?

• Yes, there is a law that states that the DOE and BESE must develop and approve guidelines dealing with dyslexia. The law itself doesn’t specify what must happen other than that they must exist.

During the past legislative sessions, have any bills passed related to dyslexia?

• The Dyslexia Resource Center has worked with several legislators over the last 3 years to introduce and pass three laws related to dyslexia.

• 2018: Creation of an Ancillary Add On certification to valid LA teaching certificates as Dyslexia Practitioner or Dyslexia Therapist. The law is written to match ALTA/IMSLEC guidelines at the practitioner and therapy levels regarding number of instructional hours, practicum with supervision, observations, and passage of a national exam. IMSLEC accredited programs and ALTA certification are listed as examples in the policy (not the law).

• 2020: Passage of the updated 21st-century science definition of dyslexia. This definition replaced all previous definitions used anywhere in state education law or policy.

• 2021: Mandated reporting to both DOE and congress of a number of students identified as dyslexic as well as what grade they were identified by all school districts and LEAs.

If your state does have dyslexia legislation already passed, does it specify any certification or accreditation organization by name? Does it include a description of MSLE coursework and practicum?

• See law description in the previous question.

State Legislative Contact:

• Kayla Reggio

Does your state have an ALTA Chapter? 

• Yes, it is part of the Great Lakes Chapter

Does your state legislature meet every year?

• Yes

Does your state have a Dyslexia Handbook?

• No

Does your state have a Dyslexia Law? If so, what is covered by that law?

• No

During the past legislative sessions, have any bills passed related to dyslexia?

• No

If your state does have dyslexia legislation already passed, does it specify any certification or accreditation organization by name? Does it include a description of MSLE coursework and practicum?

• No

State Legislative Contact:

• Lauren Sheeley

Does your state have an ALTA Chapter? 

• Yes

Does your state legislature meet every year?

• Yes

Does your state have a Dyslexia Handbook?

Does your state have a Dyslexia Law? If so, what is covered by that law?

• Screening and 2 hours inservice.

During the past legislative sessions, have any bills passed related to dyslexia?

• No

If your state does have dyslexia legislation already passed, does it specify any certification or accreditation organization by name? Does it include a description of MSLE coursework and practicum?

• It contains language that includes CALT criteria as well as CPERI (IDA) certification.

State Legislative Contact:

• Noel Leif

Does your state have an ALTA Chapter? 

• No

Does your state legislature meet every year?

• Yes

Does your state have a Dyslexia Handbook?

• No, rather a Dyslexia Topic Brief. It can be found here on the SLD page of the Exceptional Children Division: https://www.dpi.nc.gov/districts-schools/classroom-resources/exceptional-children/resources-unique-needs/specific-learning-disabilities#dyslexia-and-dyscalculia

  Direct link is https://www.dpi.nc.gov/media/10854/download?attachment

Does your state have a Dyslexia Law? If so, what is covered by that law?

• North Carolina HB 149 defines dyslexia, describes professional development requirements, and charges local education boards with reviewing screening and diagnostic use. HB 149 defines dyslexia as “A specific learning disability characterized by difficulty with accurate or fluent word recognition, or both, and by poor spelling and decoding abilities.” The North Carolina dyslexia handbook recognizes IDA’s definition of dyslexia.

During the past legislative sessions, have any bills passed related to dyslexia?

• No. The most recent legislation related to overall reading achievement for all students does not mention dyslexia.

If your state does have dyslexia legislation already passed, does it specify any certification or accreditation organization by name? Does it include a description of MSLE coursework and practicum?

• No

State Legislative Contact:

• Candi Sellers

Does your state have an ALTA Chapter? 

• Yes

Does your state legislature meet every year?

• No, it meets every two years.

Does your state have a Dyslexia Handbook?

• Ohio recently formed a Dyslexia Committee. That Committee is currently creating the Handbook.

Does your state have a Dyslexia Law? If so, what is covered by that law?

• Yes, Ohio just passed HB 436 in Ohio (in December). It has two parts: screening for dyslexia and professional development for staff.

During the past legislative sessions, have any bills passed related to dyslexia?

• Yes

If your state does have dyslexia legislation already passed, does it specify any certification or accreditation organization by name? Does it include a description of MSLE coursework and practicum?

• The law itself is fairly general because it refers the reader to the Ohio Dyslexia Handbook. The Handbook will have all the details and should be done by October. The committee was provided guidance on what appropriate certification would constitute (i.e., levels for ALTA, IMSLEC programs, Academy). 

State Legislative Contact:

• Andrea Rowson

Does your state have an ALTA Chapter? 

• Yes

Does your state legislature meet every year?

• Yes

Does your state have a Dyslexia Handbook?

• Yes

Does your state have a Dyslexia Law? If so, what is covered by that law?

• Yes, recognition of Dyslexia and Dyslexia screeners.

During the past legislative sessions, have any bills passed related to dyslexia?

• Yes, recognition of Dyslexia and Dyslexia screeners.

If your state does have dyslexia legislation already passed, does it specify any certification or accreditation organization by name? Does it include a description of MSLE coursework and practicum?

• No

State Legislative Contact:

• Dawn Vaughn

Does your state have an ALTA Chapter? 

• Yes

Does your state legislature meet every year?

• Yes

Does your state have a Dyslexia Handbook?

• No, however, Philadelphia Branch IDA has spearheaded a committee to work on it.

Does your state have a Dyslexia Law? If so, what is covered by that law?

During the past legislative sessions, have any bills passed related to dyslexia?

• No

If your state does have dyslexia legislation already passed, does it specify any certification or accreditation organization by name? Does it include a description of MSLE coursework and practicum?

• No

State Legislative Contact:

• Marilyn Mathis

Does your state have an ALTA Chapter? 

• No

Does your state legislature meet every year?

Does your state have a Dyslexia Handbook?

Does your state have a Dyslexia Law? If so, what is covered by that law?

During the past legislative sessions, have any bills passed related to dyslexia?

If your state does have dyslexia legislation already passed, does it specify any certification or accreditation organization by name? Does it include a description of MSLE coursework and practicum?

State Legislative Contact:

Does your state have an ALTA Chapter? 

• Yes

Does your state legislature meet every year?

• No, every odd year.

Does your state have a Dyslexia Handbook?

• Yes: tea.texas.gov/dyslexia

Does your state have a Dyslexia Law? If so, what is covered by that law?

• Yes. The website gives the latest laws and access to the dyslexia handbook. The intervention recommended for dyslexia is MSLE and described in the dyslexia handbook.

During the past legislative sessions, have any bills passed related to dyslexia?

• Yes

If your state does have dyslexia legislation already passed, does it specify any certification or accreditation organization by name? Does it include a description of MSLE coursework and practicum?

• Texas has licensure through the Texas Department of License and Regulation (TDLR) – Licensed Dyslexia Therapist, Licensed Dyslexia Practitioner

  https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/dtp/dtp.htm

State Legislative Contact:

• Libby Grafa

Does your state have an ALTA Chapter? 

• Yes, Rocky Mountain Chapter

Does your state legislature meet every year?

• Yes

Does your state have a Dyslexia Handbook?

• Yes

Does your state have a Dyslexia Law? If so, what is covered by that law?

• No

During the past legislative sessions, have any bills passed related to dyslexia?

• Decoding Dyslexia Utah successfully advocated for the Utah State Legislature to pass SB37 Interventions for Reading Difficulties in the 2019 session. This bill will continue and expand SB117  Interventions for Reading Difficulties Pilot Program bill that DDUT lobbied for in 2015. This bill provides grant funding for LEA’s to implement reading intervention programs to help all struggling readers including students with dyslexia in Utah public schools. 10-15 LEAs will receive this grant for up to 5 schools per LEA and a total of up to $30,000 per school. 

If your state does have dyslexia legislation already passed, does it specify any certification or accreditation organization by name? Does it include a description of MSLE coursework and practicum?

• No. They seem to favor fast, one day program trainings, like Spire.

  The state board of education is using Covid funds to provide LETRS training to teachers and administrators. https://civicclerk.blob.core.windows.net/stream/USBE/43474e1c-e1ff-4271-bd86-8cf96f9395d7.pdf?sv=2015-12-11&sr=b&sig=8SFyuHqmZpVKLQBF9541aL6xnxXDogpWffiG6942sGs%3D&st=2021-04-08T18%3A50%3A13Z&se=2022-04-08T18%3A55%3A13Z&sp=r&rscc=no-cache&rsct=application%2Fpdf

  There are currently 8 Utah Take Flight CALTs in training through the Shelton School, via zoom, completing their first year. There are also 3 QI’s in training with this cohort.

  ALTA and CALT/CALPs are still not well known in Utah, but their presence is slowly growing, and having teachers trained will help.

  The Carolina Day School is going to provide training next summer at a Utah private school. This training can be used as either CALT or Academy of OG training; both are options from the same training.

State Legislative Contact:

• Kathy Tenney

Does your state have an ALTA Chapter? 

• Yes, Great Lakes Chapter

Does your state legislature meet every year?

• Yes

Does your state have a Dyslexia Handbook?

• Yes (to be published Dec. 2021)

Does your state have a Dyslexia Law? If so, what is covered by that law?

• Yes, Dyslexia Guidebook ACT 86

During the past legislative sessions, have any bills passed related to dyslexia?

• Yes, AB 446/SB 454 were just introduced which includes a definition of dyslexia.

If your state does have dyslexia legislation already passed, does it specify any certification or accreditation organization by name? Does it include a description of MSLE coursework and practicum?

State Legislative Contact:

• Katie Kasubaski