PENNSYLVANIA
A comprehensive overview of Pennsylvania's enacted legislation, regulations, certification requirements, and state-provided resources related to dyslexia education.
BRIEF SUMMARY
Pennsylvania provides local school entities with state-approved lists of evidence-based universal screeners and reading curriculum, and evidence-based literacy training for teachers. Local entities are encouraged to provide their educators training in structured literacy. Teacher preparation programs must integrate coursework on structured literacy and supporting students with dyslexia in their programming.
PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATIONS AND REGULATIONS
1. Act 135 of 2024
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Summary: This act established a 20-member reading leadership council to advise the state department of education on the creation of state-approved lists of evidence-based reading curricula, universal screeners, and literacy professional development programs. Local entities are advised to refer to these lists to make programming decisions.
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How This Affects Families and Educators: Provides state-aligned information on evidence-based universal screeners, literacy curricula, and professional development on publicly-available platforms.
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More: Act 135
2. HB1642/Act 55 (2022)
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Summary: This Act created requirements for Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) to integrate structured literacy competencies and standards into their coursework by August 1, 2024. It also required the department of education to assist school entities in developing professional awareness on structured literacy for educators.
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How This Affects Families and Educators: This act enhances both current and future educators’ knowledge of structured literacy practices and how to support students with or at-risk for dyslexia.
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More: Act 55
3. SB776 (2018)
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Summary: This bill amended the Pilot Program Law of 2014, further defining terms related to dyslexia and expanding the duration of the pilot program. The expansion extended the duration of the pilot program up to five years, in order to assess the effectiveness of the program on student outcomes at the end of third grade.
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How This Affects Families and Educators: Enhanced the existing pilot program by clarifying definitions and expanding its duration and scope.
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More: SB776
4. Act 69 (24 P.S. Article XVII-C; Dyslexia and Early Literacy Intervention Pilot Program Law) (2014)
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Summary: This act established a Dyslexia and Early Literacy Intervention Pilot Program to provide up to eight districts with evidence-based early screening and multitier support systems for students with potential risk factors for early reading deficiencies and dyslexia.
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How This Affects Families and Educators: Improved support and resources for students with dyslexia and their families in participating pilot districts. Required screening and intervention measures for kindergarten students.
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More: Act 69
TEACHER CERTIFICATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS
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As per Act 69, participating pilot program districts must provide training for teachers on evidence-based core reading programs and screening for dyslexia risk factors.
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School entities are encouraged to include training on structured literacy for educators are part of their professional learning portfolios.
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House Bill 1642 (2022) requires institutions of higher education to provide teacher preparation in Structured Literacy for early elementary teachers, reading specialists, special education teachers, and English language learner teachers by August 1, 2024.
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Teachers must be trained in identifying dyslexia characteristics and using evidence-based interventions to address reading deficiencies.
More:
MORE PENNSYLVANIA STATE RESOURCES
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