MS HB208

Requires school districts to adopt policies ensuring dyslexia screenings for kindergarten and Grade 1 students in spring and fall, and to provide comprehensive evaluations when students fail screenings or demonstrate dyslexia-like symptoms.

Mandates school districts perform comprehensive dyslexia evaluations for students who fail screenings, administered by dyslexia diagnosticians or licensed professionals (psychologists, psychometrists, or speech-language pathologists).

Allows parents or legal guardians to request comprehensive evaluations at any time during a student's enrollment based on teacher observations or parent concerns about dyslexia-like symptoms.

Requires school districts to pay all costs associated with comprehensive evaluations, including independent evaluations requested by parents, and mandates acceptance of independent evaluation diagnoses for determining eligibility for dyslexia therapy programs or scholarships.

Takes effect July 1, 2016.