MS HB754

Creates new section 37-173-16 requiring each school district to determine if students diagnosed with dyslexia qualify for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and if not, to proceed with 504 Plan eligibility determinations under the Rehabilitation Act.

Mandates the State Department of Education require all licensed educators and paraprofessionals to complete four hours of dyslexia awareness training every three years, with minimum content based on Standards 1 and 2 of the International Dyslexia Association's "Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading" 2018 Edition.

Requires dyslexia training to be delivered by individuals holding a State Department of Education License No. 203 in Dyslexia Therapy and a national Certified Academic Language Therapist certificate, with training available through in-person, online, or prerecorded video formats.

Removes from section 37-173-9 the detailed provisions regarding IDEA and 504 Plan determinations for dyslexic students, consolidating those requirements into the new section 37-173-16.

Takes effect July 1, 2021.