October 24, 2025

#64 The Dyslexia Screening Revolution: How New Laws Are Changing Everything for Parents

8 minutes

Are you living through the BIGGEST change in dyslexia identification in decades? For years, parents have fought exhausting battles just to get their child evaluated, but new state legislation is finally shifting that burden from your shoulders to the schools. Today, I break down the universal dyslexia screening laws sweeping the nation, from California to Texas and reveal what you need to know.

But here’s the reality check: implementation is messy, and not all screening laws are created equal. You need to know what you need to do to ensure your child isn't screened without receiving the follow-up intervention they deserve.

You’ll learn the three most important questions to ask your school right now and how to use those screening results as powerful evidence for the support your struggling reader needs, along with a whole lot more - so let’s get started.

Would you like to understand reports, ask the right questions, and get schools to take you seriously? Together Through Dyslexia 6-month program provides expert mentorship for parents of dyslexics and struggling readers, and you can claim your spot now at https://www.literacyuntangled.com/together-through-dyslexia!

My mini-course, From Lost to Empowered: How to Get Your Struggling Reader: The 3-Step Evaluation Request Blueprint for Parents of Struggling Readers, is available now! This 3-step evaluation request blueprint walks you through everything you need to know, from documenting concerns with the right details to writing the evaluation request letter with language that triggers legal timelines, to handling what to do when schools try to push you off, and so much more. You can break through the barriers NOW and get instant access at https://www.literacyuntangled.com/from-lost-to-empowered.

Topics Covered:

Why schools are facing new legislation requirements for student evaluations and support right now [1:37]

The ways in which screening is not the same as an evaluation or a diagnosis [2:18]

A closer look at what screening entails under the new guidelines and mandates [2:33]

How these changes represent a significant shift in responsibility for identifying student needs [2:47]

The reasons that identification matters so much for long-term student success and intervention [3:50]

How implementation can vary drastically across states and districts, leading to inconsistent results [4:11]

What you need to do now to comply with the new policies and successfully support your students [5:20]

Key Takeaways:

The new universal screening laws represent a game-changing shift in burden and responsibility from parents to schools.

Early intervention is both crucial and time-sensitive.

Despite over 40 states having some form of legislation, the strength of the laws and their implementation vary dramatically and local implementation requires parental oversight.

Links & Resources Mentioned:

DIBELS 8th Edition Materials

Acadience Learning

When you're ready to work with me, here are 3 ways I can help you:

Claim your spot now to Together Through Dyslexia, my 6-month program providing expert mentorship for parents of dyslexics and struggling readers!

Subscribe to my Podcast Literacy Untangled Podcast for bimonthly episodes on navigating the dyslexia journey with your kid.

Want 1:1 help from an Orton-Gillingham expert? Book a call to see how I help kids who are struggling to learn how to read.

Have a question or want a certain topic covered? Send an email to [email protected] or a DM on Instagram.

I want to support parents with dyslexic children and get this content in the hands of those who need it most. Click the share button and send away! Thank you.

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By Jennie Sjursen

4.6

77 ratings