LOUISIANA
A comprehensive overview of Louisiana's enacted legislation, regulations, certification requirements, and state-provided resources related to dyslexia education.
BRIEF SUMMARY
Louisiana mandates early dyslexia screening, structured interventions, and teacher training in evidence-based reading instruction. Educators are required to complete training programs focusing on dyslexia awareness, intervention techniques, and structured literacy strategies.
LOUISIANA LEGISLATIONS AND REGULATIONS
1. Senate Bill 336/Act No.517 (2024)
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Summary: This bill requires additional testing for students identified through initial dyslexia screenings, including assessments, performance reviews, and parent interviews. Parents can choose an approved testing provider. This bill is part of the state’s efforts to strengthen dyslexia identification and intervention practices.
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How This Affects Families and Educators: Families have greater involvement in the testing process with the option to select the testing provider and receive reimbursement. Educators benefit from enhanced dyslexia screening protocols and structured intervention strategies in schools.
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More: SB336
2. Senate Bill 72/Act No. 499 (2024)
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Summary: This bill exempts students with dyslexia from the required literacy screenings administered to kindergarten through third-grade students twice a year. Instead of these screenings, students with dyslexia will take an alternative test to assess their speech skills and oral reading fluency. This adjustment ensures that these students are not evaluated with assessments that may not reflect their true abilities, offering alternative tests to track their literacy development.
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How This Affects Families and Educators: Families will benefit from a more personalized and fair approach to evaluating their child’s literacy progress, with alternative assessments that account for dyslexia. Educators are encouraged to use these alternative methods, which can lead to better insights into how students with dyslexia are progressing in their reading skills.
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More: SB72
3. Senate Bill 440/Act No. 525 (2024)
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Summary: This bill creates the Dyslexia Fund, a special state fund dedicated to supporting the costs of administering dyslexia assessments for students.
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How This Affects Families and Educators: This bill provides a stable financial resource to help schools cover the costs of dyslexia testing, ensuring that resources are available for early identification and support.
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More: SB440
4. House Bill 69/Act No. 266 (2023)
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Summary: This bill requires the screening and diagnosis of dyslexia for students. The bill sets forth clear procedures for identifying students at risk for dyslexia through early screenings, followed by appropriate diagnostic evaluations.
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How This Affects Families and Educators: Families will benefit from more consistent and early identification of dyslexia, ensuring their children receive the necessary support sooner. For educators, the bill provides a structured framework for diagnosing dyslexia, helping them implement more effective interventions and instructional strategies.
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More: HB69
5. Louisiana Title 28 Education Part XXXV (Regulations and Guidelines for Implementation of the Louisiana Law for the Education of Dyslexic Students)
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Summary: This part of the Louisiana Administrative Code outlines the state's policies and procedures for addressing dyslexia in schools. It includes definitions, screening requirements, and guidelines for multisensory structured language and literacy programs.
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How This Affects Families and Educators: Provides a comprehensive framework for identifying and supporting students with dyslexia, ensuring consistent practices across Louisiana schools.
TEACHER CERTIFICATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS
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Screening Specialist Training Requirements include 18 clock hours of training in:
- Characteristics of ADHD
- Characteristics of dyslexia
- Characteristics of social and emotional risk factors
- Use of appropriate screening instruments
- Administration and interpretation of LEA-selected screening instruments
- Operation and administration of building-level committee
- Selection of classroom strategies, accommodations, and modifications
- Child advocacy
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Literacy Foundation Training is required for all K-3 teachers and leaders to provide in-depth knowledge to support assessment and instruction for students struggling with reading.
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Teacher Preparation Programs must include coursework on dyslexia identification, intervention strategies, and evidence-based practices.
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Louisiana teacher education programs have to include at least three credit hours focused on dyslexia, covering its scientific background, evidence-based instruction, and accommodations, with a designated faculty member receiving specialized training.
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MORE LOUISIANA STATE RESOURCES
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