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HB1124 • 2026

Education

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to dyslexia.

Education
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Farmer, Seal
Last action
2025-02-12
Official status
Assigned to s/c Education Administration Subcommittee
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on how schools will fund the new requirements or what happens if a school cannot find enough teachers trained in Orton-Gillingham.

Tennessee Dyslexia Screening and Teaching Act

This act requires Tennessee schools to screen all students for dyslexia and use the Orton-Gillingham method for teaching those who show signs of dyslexia from kindergarten through fifth grade.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires local education agencies (LEAs) to screen all students for dyslexia.
  • If a student from kindergarten through fifth grade shows signs of dyslexia, the school must use the Orton-Gillingham method to teach them.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Students in Tennessee schools
  • Teachers and staff at local education agencies

Terms To Know

Orton-Gillingham method
A teaching approach that helps students with dyslexia learn to read, write, and spell.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how schools will fund the new screening and training requirements.
  • It is unclear what happens if a school cannot find enough teachers trained in Orton-Gillingham.

Bill History

  1. 2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Education Administration Subcommittee

  2. 2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, ref. to Education Committee

  3. 2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  4. 2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Education Committee

  5. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  6. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  7. 2025-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  8. 2025-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
SENATE BILL 1056
By Seal

HOUSE BILL 1124
By Farmer

HB1124
002029
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49,
relative to dyslexia.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-1-229(a)(4), is amended by
deleting the subdivision and substituting:
(4) Dyslexia screening must be provided to every student.
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-1-229(c), is amended by adding
the following as a new subdivision:
(5) If the student is enrolled in grades kindergarten through five (K-5), use the
Orton-Gillingham method for teaching the student.
SECTION 3. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-1-229(d), is amended by adding ",
including using the Orton-Gillingham method" after "with dyslexia".
SECTION 4. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-6-3004(c)(1)(A), is amended by
deleting "using appropriate scientific research and brain-based multisensory intervention
methods and strategies" and substituting "using the Orton-Gillingham method".
SECTION 5. For the purpose of training teachers to use the Orton-Gillingham method,
this act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it. For all other purposes,
this act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it, and applies to the
2025-2026 school year and subsequent school years.