Colorado Expands Dyslexia Screening: What Parents Need to Know
On May 23, 2025, Colorado signed Senate Bill 25-200 into law, expanding the Colorado READ Act to include formal dyslexia screening and support. By the 2027–2028 school year, all public schools will be required to fully implement the new provisions .
Why This Matters
The goal of the bill is simple but powerful: early identification and intervention. Research shows that when children with dyslexia are recognized early, they can get the right support and have a far stronger chance of keeping pace with their peers.
Key Changes Families Should Know
1. Universal Screening
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Kindergarten: All students will be screened in the final 90 days of the school year.
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Grades 1–3: Students will be screened within the first 90 days of the school year .
2. What the Screening Looks At
Schools must use research-based screeners that check for:
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Phonological awareness
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Alphabetic principle
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Decoding skills
These are the core areas where children with dyslexia often show early challenges .
3. Expanded Definition of Reading Deficiency
The law broadens what counts as a “reading deficiency” to include:
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Dyslexia characteristics (like spelling and decoding struggles)
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Teacher and parent observations
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Diagnostic tools and educational history
For the first time, teachers can explicitly use the word dyslexia in reports and conversations with families .
4. Parent Notification & Support
If a child shows risk factors, schools must:
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Notify parents promptly
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Explain the concerns clearly (including dyslexia risk)
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Provide a targeted intervention plan with evidence-based supports
Recommended Dyslexia Screeners
While the bill doesn’t mandate one tool, screeners must be valid, reliable, and developmentally appropriate. Common examples include:
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Acadience Reading (DIBELS)
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Shaywitz DyslexiaScreen
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CTOPP (Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing)
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PASS or PALS
What Happens If Schools Don’t Comply?
There are no direct legal penalties, but compliance is tied to READ Act funding. Schools that fail to implement screening could face scrutiny or risk losing funds from the Colorado Department of Education .
The Bottom Line
This new law is a big step forward for Colorado families. It:
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Makes dyslexia screening a universal practice in early grades
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Promotes clear, open communication with parents
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Ensures earlier, evidence-based interventions for struggling readers
For parents, it means better awareness, stronger advocacy, and a clearer path to support if your child shows signs of dyslexia.
You can read the full signed bill here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/2025a_200_signed.pdf
