MS SB2868

Requires all school districts to screen students in kindergarten through grade 2 using Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) to identify dyslexia markers, with additional screening for older students showing classroom difficulties.

Mandates that parents be notified if dyslexia evaluation indicates their child needs therapy services, and provided information on indicators, interventions, accommodations, and right to independent evaluation.

Requires dyslexia therapy to be systematic, multi-sensory, and research-based instruction delivered by certified dyslexia therapists in small group settings, covering phonemic awareness, phonetics, language structure, and reading strategies.

Establishes a dyslexia specialist position in the Department of Education by fiscal year 2022 and requires at least one trained dyslexia specialist at each education service cooperative by 2022-2023 to provide technical assistance and training.

Requires all teachers to receive professional awareness training on dyslexia indicators and teaching methods by 2021-2022, and mandates state universities include dyslexia identification and related disorders information in all teacher education programs.