Dyslexia Supports
Ohio’s Introduction to Dyslexia, Kindergarten-Grade 3 course is now available in the Department’s Learning Management System
Questions can be sent to
Dyslexia@education.ohio.gov. If you need additional account support
after consulting the linked support documents above, please contact OH|ID Profile Help at
Profile.Help@education.ohio.gov for OH|ID assistance. If you are in the LMS application and need additional support, please contact LMS Support at
LMSSupport@education.ohio.gov.
Helpful Resources for Districts and Families
The 2022-2023 List of Approved Optional Universal Dyslexia Screeners is available.
The list and detailed information are available at the List of Approved Assessments page on the Department’s website.
If you have questions, please review the Dyslexia Screener FAQ, or contact the Office of Assessment at statetests@education.ohio.gov or (614) 466-1317.
Changes to the Dyslexia Support Laws from House Bill 583
Newly passed legislation has changed some components of the dyslexia support laws. Ohio’s Dyslexia Guidebook has been updated to reflect these changes. Updates include:
- The delayed timeline for the annual screening requirement, which will now begin in the 2023-2024 school year
- Removal of the word “multisensory” before “structured literacy”
- Change from “courses” to “training” regarding professional development requirements
Questions about these changes or the dyslexia support laws can be sent to dyslexia@education.ohio.gov.
Governor DeWine signed House Bill 583 of the 134th General Assembly on June 24, 2022. Note that the following changes will be effective as of Sept. 22, 2022:
- Delays by one year the requirement for annual tier one dyslexia screenings of students in grades kindergarten through six from the 2022-2023 school year to the 2023-2024 school year but permits a district or school to administer the tier one dyslexia screening prior to the 2023-2024 school year. (ORC 3323.251)
- Permits districts and schools to "utilize" any best practices and recommendations developed for the guidebook by the Ohio Dyslexia Committee regarding the best practices and methods for universal screening, intervention, and remediation for children with dyslexia or children displaying dyslexic characteristics and tendencies. (ORC 3323.251 (C) (4))
- Specifically states that a school must comply with statutorily required provisions regarding the guidebook. (ORC 3323.251 (C) (1))
- Specifies that the list that the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Ohio Dyslexia Committee, is required to maintain must pertain to "training" rather than "courses" that fulfill the professional development requirements regarding dyslexia. (ORC 3319.077)
- Removes "multi-sensory" from the description of "multisensory structured literacy programs." (ORC 3323.25, 3323.251, 3319.078)
- Defines "teacher" to clarify that the professional development requirements do not apply to a teacher that provides instruction in fine arts, music, or physical education. (ORC 3319.077 (A) (4))
Please note that updated materials reflecting these changes are forthcoming.
Ohio's Dyslexia Guidebook
The Department is pleased to announce Ohio’s Dyslexia Guidebook is available. As required by Ohio law, Ohio’s Dyslexia Guidebook contains best practices and methods for universal screening, intervention and remediation for children with dyslexia or children displaying dyslexic characteristics and tendencies. Districts and schools should use the guidebook to access critical information for successful implementation of Ohio's dyslexia support laws.
The Department will develop additional resources and guidance to support schools and districts. The FAQ page will be updated as needed.
For questions about Ohio’s Dyslexia Guidebook or Ohio’s dyslexia support laws, please contact Dyslexia@education.ohio.gov.
Helpful Resources
Federal Funding Guidance: This document contains federal funding guidance for districts and schools to use federal Title funds, IDEA Part B School-aged Special Education funds (ages 3-21) and IDEA Part B Early Childhood Special Education funds (ages 3-5) to implement Ohio’s Dyslexia Support laws.
House Bill 436 mandated a cost analysis report to ascertain the potential financial costs incurred by school districts to implement Ohio's dyslexia support laws. The final Cost Study Analysis is now available to download as well as the accompanying Appendix with detailed information.
Download the Dyslexia Law Requirements for Districts and Schools document to review the timeline of specific requirements starting in the 2022-2023 school year.
On January 9, 2021, Governor Mike DeWine signed a set of laws strengthening dyslexia supports for Ohio’s children. The new dyslexia support laws establish dyslexia screening measures (ORC 3323.251), professional development for identifying dyslexia and instructing students with dyslexia (ORC 3319.077), a structured literacy certification process for teachers (ORC 3319.078) and the Ohio Dyslexia Committee (ORC 3323.25). The following is a summary of the new set of laws:
- Requires the Ohio Department of Education to establish the Ohio Dyslexia Committee consisting of 11 members;
- Requires the Ohio Dyslexia Committee to develop a dyslexia guidebook for screening, intervention and remediation for children with dyslexia or displaying dyslexic characteristics and tendencies;
- Requires the Ohio Dyslexia Committee to prescribe the number of clock hours of dyslexia-related professional development required for teachers;
- Permits the Ohio Dyslexia Committee to make recommendations regarding ratios of students to teachers who have received certification in identifying and addressing dyslexia, the school personnel who should receive the certification and whether professional development requirements should include completing a practicum;
- Requires the Department, in collaboration with the Ohio Dyslexia Committee, to identify screening and intervention measures that evaluate the literacy skills of students using a structured literacy program;
- Requires school districts and other public schools to administer annual dyslexia screenings beginning in the 2022-2023 school year;
- Phases in over three years dyslexia-related professional development requirements for public school teachers;
- Requires school districts and other public schools, beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, to establish a structured literacy certification process for teachers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ohio's Rule for Phonics
Last Modified: 3/6/2023 8:21:40 AM