Help for Students with Dyslexia

Helping a Student with Dyslexia

Following five years of work to get legislation formulated, new K-12 literacy/dyslexia legislation was passed at the end of September. The new laws will strengthen the effectiveness of literacy instruction and intervention and has been championed by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and the State Board of Education.

Beginning in the 2027-28 school year, the legislation would require public schools to:

  • Screen, with a tool from a list of approved screening tools, all students in kindergarten through third grade for characteristics of dyslexia three times per school year.
  • Ensure that reading intervention is provided to all K-12 students who demonstrate characteristics of dyslexia as a result of screening assessment data.
  • Use a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework to organize evidence-based classroom and intervention instruction and materials to effectively meet the needs of all learners.
  • Provide literacy consultants, teachers, literacy coaches, and other instructional staff with professional learning on characteristics of dyslexia, instructional practices, and accommodations that have strong evidence for improving literacy outcomes and are consistent with the Science of Reading.
  • Select from a list of approved reading instructional materials.

Source: State of Michigan