Dyslexia: Why Screen Students?
Answer
Dyslexia and related disorders can significantly impact a student's ability to learn and succeed in school. To ensure that all students—regardless of their primary language—receive the support they need, Texas has established legal mandates for early identification.
Under Texas Education Code §38.003, public school students must be screened and tested for dyslexia and related disorders at designated times, following a program approved by the State Board of Education. This includes:
Mandatory screening at the end of kindergarten
Screening during first grade, which must be completed no later than January 31 of each school yeartexas+1
Districts are also required to follow procedures outlined in the Dyslexia Handbook and report screening outcomes through the Texas Student Data System (TSDS/PEIMS) to ensure compliance.
Visit TEA’s Dyslexia webpage Dyslexia and Related Disorders for additional information regarding state requirements.