Dyslexia Rule and Handbook Effective June 30

The purpose of this communication is to inform local educational agencies (LEAs) that the State Board of Education’s (SBOE’s) rule amendments to 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §74.28 are effective June 30, 2024. The SBOE’s Dyslexia Handbook, Procedures Concerning Dyslexia and Related Disorders, 2024 Update (Handbook) is incorporated by reference into that rule, which means the recent updates made to the Handbook are also effective on June 30.

The primary intent of the amendments to the rule and Handbook is to align with the requirements of House Bill (HB) 3928 from the 88th regular session. LEAs are required to comply with the rule and Handbook, so 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.

More information can be found on the agency’s Dyslexia and Related Disorders webpage. A copy of the Handbook is located on that webpage, as well as other guidance documents. The rule text will be updated on the Secretary of State’s website as of the effective date, June 30, 2024.

Contact Information

Questions may be submitted to sped@tea.texas.gov.