ND HB1461

Each public elementary school must include phonetic awareness, decoding, and spelling in reading assessments and screenings, and must offer screening upon request by parents, guardians, or teachers.

Superintendent of public instruction shall establish a dyslexia screening pilot program from the 2019-20 through 2022-23 school years to provide early screening and intervention services for children with dyslexia risk factors, including low phonemic awareness.

Participating school districts, regional education associations, or special education units must submit applications identifying screening methods, reading programs staffed by dyslexia specialists, and evaluation methodologies.

Grantees must provide screenings for children under seven years old, reading intervention services, superintendent-approved assessments to measure program effectiveness, and professional development on dyslexia identification and interventions.

Superintendent of public instruction must report to legislative management by July 1, 2021, with a recommendation on whether to continue the pilot program beyond the 2022-23 school year; up to $250,000 in unexpended appropriations may be carried forward to fund the program.