Region 17 Dyslexia

I wanted to let you know that the Spanish version of the Dyslexia Handbook, 2024 Update has been posted to the TEA Dyslexia and Related Disorders Website.

Linked HERE for your review.

The Texas Education Agency has posted the To the Administrator Addressed Correspondence to the TEA website.

The Dyslexia Handbook has been updated to align with the requirements of House Bill 3928 from the 88th regular session. It is critical for staff to be aware of all requirements moving forward, especially the following:

• The language referencing the timeline for the required dyslexia screener in grade 1 has been updated to clarify that the screener must be administered as close to the middle of the school year as possible, but no later than January 31;
• If an LEA suspects, or has reason to suspect, a student has dyslexia and may be a child with a disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the LEA must provide parents with the Overview of Special Education for Parents form along with the other required documents for a full individual and initial evaluation (FIIE);
• The multidisciplinary team responsible for completing a student’s FIIE must include at least one member with specific knowledge regarding the reading process, dyslexia and related disorders, and dyslexia instruction. This member must be a licensed dyslexia therapist or hold the most advanced dyslexia-related certification as described in the Handbook. If neither of these professionals is available, the member must have received specific training as identified in the Handbook (page 28);
• When considering initial or continued special education eligibility for dyslexia, the admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee must also include a member with the qualifications described above;
• If dyslexia is identified and the student is determined to need dyslexia instruction, that instruction is considered specially designed instruction. In other words, this is a special education service.

We are excited to announce the long awaited update to the Texas Dyslexia Handbook!

At the April 12, 2024 State Board of Education (SBOE) meeting, the SBOE approved for second reading and final adoption changes to 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 74.28. Included as a figure in 19 TAC 74.28 is the SBOE’s Dyslexia Handbook. The rule was filed in the Texas Register on June 1, which makes the rule and handbook effective on June 30, 2024.

Explore the revised handbook today and stay tuned for details on upcoming TDA trainings!

View the handbook.