This amendment requires Hawaii public schools to start using special reading tests that can detect dyslexia by the 2028-2029 school year and provides training for teachers on how to help struggling readers.
Hawaii2026Enacted
HB1891
HB1891: Dyslexia Screening and Reading Support in Hawaii Schools
Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 11:30 PM
In one sentence
This law requires public schools to screen students for dyslexia, provide specific reading help based on evidence, train teachers on structured literacy methods, and update teacher training programs.
What it does
- Requires all public schools to give a special screening test approved by the Department of Education to kindergarteners through third graders and new students starting in the 2027-2028 school year.
- Mandates that schools provide evidence-based reading interventions for students identified with dyslexia or flagged as struggling readers within the Hawaii multi-tiered system of supports framework.
- Requires the Department of Education to offer professional training for staff in complex areas and public schools on structured literacy instruction and evidence-based interventions.
- Directs higher education institutions to train future general and special education teachers in structured literacy methods.
Who it affects
- Public school students from kindergarten through third grade, plus new students entering Hawaii public schools for the first time.
- Teachers working in complex areas and across all public schools who need training on reading instruction.
- Teacher candidates enrolled in pre-service programs at higher education institutions.
Limits and unknowns
- The law does not specify the exact dollar amount of funding provided for the new screeners.
- The specific details of how schools will choose which evidence-based interventions to use are not listed in this text, only that they must be implemented within a support framework.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Dyslexia
- A specific learning disability that is neurological and makes it hard to recognize words, spell, or decode text due to issues with how the brain processes sounds in language.
- Structured literacy instruction
- An evidence-based teaching method using clear, step-by-step lessons on phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and written expression.
- Universal screening
- Giving a brief standardized test to all students to find those who might struggle with reading before they fall behind.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
RELATING TO EDUCATION. DOE; Dyslexia Screening; Universal Screening; Evidence-Based Interventions; Teacher Professional Development ($) Requires the Department of Education to implement dyslexia sensitive linguistically appropriate universal screenings and evidence-based interventions, offer professional development on structured literacy and evidenced-based interventions, and support pre-teacher programs in training candidates in structured literacy instruction. (CD1)
Official activity
Bill history
- Act 242, on 07/13/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1344).H
- Act 242, 07/13/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1344).S
- Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).S
- Transmitted to Governor.H
- Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).H
- Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and none excused (0).H
- Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.S
- 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26S
- Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 179-26).S
- Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.H
- Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 179-26) as amended in (CD 1).H
- The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Woodson, Lee, M., La Chica, Olds, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.H
- The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kim, Kidani, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.S
- Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 05-01-26 1:30PM in conference room 229.H
- Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Thursday 04-30-26 1:37PM in conference room 229.H
- Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Wednesday 04-29-26 1:30PM in conference room 229.H
- Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Tuesday, 04-28-26 1:35PM in conference room 229.H
- Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 719).H
- Senate Conferees Appointed: Kim Chair; Kidani Co-Chair; DeCorte.S
- Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 786).S
Changes
Amendments
3 stored
This amendment requires Hawaii public schools to start using special reading tests that can detect dyslexia for young students and new enrollees beginning in the 2028-2029 school year.
This amendment requires Hawaii public schools to start using special screening tests for dyslexia in kindergarten through third grade, provide specific help for struggling readers, and train teachers on better reading instruction methods.