Early Intervention for Dyslexia Amendments

22
53E-1-201
53F-5-224
63I-1-253
0
Early Intervention for Dyslexia Amendments
2026 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Ariel Defay
Senate Sponsor: Ann Millner
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill creates the Dyslexia Screening Pilot Program.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
defines terms;
creates the Dyslexia Screening Pilot Program to:
provide dyslexia related resources to district and charter schools; and
create a dyslexia screener at the University of Utah College of Education and the
University of Utah Education Policy Center;
creates reporting requirements to the Education Interim Committee;
requires the University of Utah Education Policy Center to:
develop a statewide dyslexia intervention plan; and
report to the State Board of Education (state board);
requires the state board to:
administer and oversee the pilot program;
choose two schools participating in the program to receive dyslexia intervention;
procure an intervention provider; and
make certain rules related to the pilot program;
provides a repeal date for the pilot program; and
makes technical and conforming changes.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
This bill appropriates
$3,500,000
in operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2027, all
of which is from the various sources as detailed in this bill.
Other Special Clauses:
This bill provides a special effective date.
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
53E-1-201
Effective
07/01/26
Partially Repealed
07/01/27
, as last amended by Laws
of Utah 2025, First Special Session, Chapter 9
63I-1-253
Effective
07/01/26
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, First Special
Session, Chapter 9
ENACTS:
53F-5-224
Effective
07/01/26
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section
53E-1-201
is amended to read:
53E-1-201
Effective
07/01/26
Partially Repealed
07/01/27
. Reports to and
action required of the Education Interim Committee.
(1)
In accordance with applicable provisions and Section
68-3-14
, the following recurring
reports are due to the Education Interim Committee:
(a)
the report described in Section
9-22-109
by the STEM Action Center Board,
including the information described in Section
9-22-113
on the status of the computer
science initiative and Section
9-22-114
on the Computing Partnerships Grants
Program;
(b)
the prioritized list of data research described in Section
53H-15-303
and the report
on research and activities described in Section
53H-15-305
by the Utah Data
Research Center;
(c)
the report described in Section
53H-1-203
by the Utah Board of Higher Education on
career and technical education issues and addressing workforce needs;
(d)
the annual report of the Utah Board of Higher Education described in Section
53H-1-203
;
(e)
the reports described in Section
53H-7-603
by the Utah Board of Higher Education
regarding activities related to campus safety;
(f)
the State Superintendent's Annual Report by the state board described in Section
53E-1-203
;
(g)
the annual report described in Section
53E-2-202
by the state board on the strategic
plan to improve student outcomes;
(h)
the report described in Section
53E-3-501
by the state board on students in an LEA
who receive academic credit through the packet method;
(i)
the report described in Section
53E-8-204
by the state board on the Utah Schools for
the Deaf and the Blind;
(j)
the report described in Section
53E-10-703
by the Utah Leading through Effective,
Actionable, and Dynamic Education director on research and other activities;
(k)
the report described in Section
53F-2-522
regarding mental health screening
programs;
(l)
the report described in Section
53F-4-203
by the state board and the independent
evaluator on an evaluation of early interactive reading software;
(m)
the reports described in Section
53F-5-224
by the state board and a district and
charter school regarding the Dyslexia Screening Pilot Program;
(m)
(n)
the report described in Section
53F-6-412
by the program manager of the Utah
Fits All Scholarship Program;
(n)
(o)
the report described in Section
63N-20-107
by the Governor's Office of
Economic Opportunity on UPSTART;
(o)
(p)
the report described in Section
53F-5-215
by the state board related to a grant
for an elementary teacher preparation assessment;
(p)
(q)
upon request, the report described in Section
53F-5-219
by the state board on
the Local Innovations Civics Education Pilot Program;
(q)
(r)
the report described in Section
53F-5-405
by the state board regarding an
evaluation of a partnership that receives a grant to improve educational outcomes for
students who are low-income;
(r)
(s)
the report described in Section
53H-1-604
regarding the Higher Education and
Corrections Council;
(s)
(t)
the report described in Section
53G-7-221
by the state board regarding
innovation plans; and
(t)
(u)
the reports described in Section
53F-6-412
regarding the Utah Fits All
Scholarship Program.
(2)
In accordance with applicable provisions and Section
68-3-14
, the following occasional
reports are due to the Education Interim Committee:
(a)
in 2027, 2030, 2033, and 2035, the reports described in Sections
53H-1-502
,
53H-1-503
, and
53H-1-504
;
(b)
in 2025, the report described in Section
53H-6-203
by a degree-granting institution
regarding policies on abusive coaching practices;
(c)
if required, the report described in Section
53E-4-309
by the state board explaining
the reasons for changing the grade level specification for the administration of
specific assessments;
(d)
if required, the report described in Section
53E-5-210
by the state board of an
adjustment to the minimum level that demonstrates proficiency for each statewide
assessment;
(e)
the report described in Section
53E-10-702
by Utah Leading through Effective,
Actionable, and Dynamic Education;
(f)
if required, the report described in Section
53F-2-513
by the state board evaluating
the effects of salary bonuses on the recruitment and retention of effective teachers in
high-poverty schools;
(g)
upon request, the report described in Section
53F-10-303
by the state board
regarding the Rural School Sports Facilities Grant Program;
(h)
upon request, a report described in Section
53G-7-222
by an LEA regarding
expenditure of a percentage of state restricted funds to support an innovative
education program;
(i)
the reports described in Section
53G-11-304
by the state board regarding proposed
rules and results related to educator exit surveys; and
(j)
the report described in Section
26B-5-113
by the Office of Substance Use and Mental
Health, the state board, and the Department of Health and Human Services regarding
recommendations related to Medicaid reimbursement for school-based health
services.
(3)
In accordance with applicable provisions and Section
68-3-14
, every five years the
Education Interim Committee shall review the programs described in the following
sections of code:
(a)
beginning July 1, 2027,
Title 53E, Chapter 10, Part 3
Chapter 10, Part 3
, Concurrent
Enrollment;
(b)
beginning July 1, 2027, Section
53F-2-408
, Enhancement for Accelerated Students
Program;
(c)
beginning July 1, 2027, Section
53F-2-409
, Concurrent enrollment funding;
(d)
beginning July 1, 2027, Section
53F-2-415
, Student health and counseling support --
Qualifying personnel -- Distribution formula -- Rulemaking;
(e)
beginning July 1, 2028, Section
53F-2-416
, Appropriation and distribution for the
Teacher and Student Success Program;
(f)
beginning July 1, 2028, Section
53F-2-510
, Digital Teaching and Learning Grant
Program;
(g)
beginning July 1, 2028, Section
53F-9-306
, Teacher and Student Success Account;
(h)
beginning July 1, 2028, Title
53G, Chapter 7, Part 13
, Teacher and Student Success
Program; and
(i)
beginning July 1, 2029, Section
53F-2-502
, Dual language immersion.
Section 2. Section
53F-5-224
is enacted to read:
53F-5-224
Effective
07/01/26
. Dyslexia Screening Pilot Program.
(1)
As used in this section:
(a)
"Dyslexia" means the same as that term is defined in Section
53E-4-307
.
(b)
"Program" means the Dyslexia Screening Pilot Program created in Subsection
(2)
.
(c)
"Rural elementary school"
means
a public elementary school located in a county of
the fourth, fifth, or sixth class as described in Section
17-60-104
.
(d)
"Screening" means the use of evidence-based measures to identify whether a student
may:
(i)
be at risk for characteristics of dyslexia; and
(ii)
need additional assessment, progress monitoring, and intervention related to
dyslexia.
(e)
"Urban elementary school" means a public elementary school located in a county of
the first, second, or third class as described in Section
17-60-104
.
(2)
There is created a four-year pilot program known as the Dyslexia Screening Pilot
Program to:
(a)
provide dyslexia resources to a district and charter school;
(b)
provide dyslexia intervention to one rural elementary school and one urban
elementary school;
(c)
create a statewide dyslexia intervention plan; and
(d)
create a dyslexia screener at the University of Utah Education Policy Center and the
University of Utah College of Education.
(3)
The state board shall:
(a)
administer and oversee the program in coordination with the University of Utah
Education Policy Center and the University of Utah College of Education;
(b)
solicit proposals from and select district and charter schools to participate in the
program;
(c)
select one rural elementary school and one urban elementary school participating in
the program to receive dyslexia intervention;
(d)
in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 6a, Utah Procurement Code, procure a vendor
to provide the dyslexia intervention described in Subsection
(3)(c)
;
(e)
identify and maintain an approved list of dyslexia screeners, including the screener
developed under Subsection
(5)
, that, in identifying risks for dyslexia and informing
instructional decision-making, demonstrate evidence of validity and reliability;
(f)
report annually to the Education Interim Committee detailing:
(i)
the reports described in Subsections
(5)(f)
and
(g)
; and
(ii)
the outcomes and effectiveness of the screener and dyslexia intervention; and
(g)
publish on the state board's website a webpage that:
(i)
provides a list of dyslexia screeners the state board approves district and charter
schools to use for the program;
(ii)
provides additional dyslexia resources for parents, teachers, and students,
including:
(A)
information on early indicators and reported risk factors;
(B)
characteristics of dyslexia and related literacy difficulties;
(C)
information on evidence-based instruction and intervention practices;
(D)
expectations for progress monitoring and communication; and
(E)
guidance on a referral process for diagnosis; and
(iii)
links to all other dyslexia resources the state board creates or approves.
(4)
To participate in the program, a district or charter school shall:
(a)
submit an application to the state board;
(b)
use the free dyslexia screener the University of Utah Education Policy Center and
University of Utah College of Education develops in accordance with Subsection
(5)(a); and
(c)
allocate funds from the district or charter school's budget to pay other costs incurred
under the program.
(5)
The University of Utah Education Policy Center and the University of Utah College of
Education shall:
(a)
work with the state board and stakeholders to develop and maintain a dyslexia
screening process a district or charter school may use in accordance with the
requirements of this section;
(b)
ensure that the screening process described in Subsection
(5)(a)
:
(i)
is free to use for district and charter schools participating in the program;
(ii)
uses scientifically sound, evidence-based measures;
(iii)
aligns with nationally recognized best practices for dyslexia screening; and
(iv)
identifies indicators of risk for dyslexia for the purpose of informing:
(A)
instruction;
(B)
interventions;
(C)
progress monitoring;
(D)
reporting; and
(E)
further evaluation;
(c)
recommend to the state board the data elements the district and charter schools
participating in the program should collect and report;
(d)
evaluate the program screener's validity, reliability, and usefulness in:
(i)
identifying a student at risk for dyslexia; and
(ii)
informing instruction and interventions;
(e)
in consultation with the state board, develop and maintain a comprehensive statewide
dyslexia intervention plan, that:
(i)
establishes evidence-based standards for early identification and intervention for a
student with dyslexia;
(ii)
provides guidance, resources, and best practices to district and charter schools;
and
(iii)
promotes statewide coordination, training, and implementation of best practices
for dyslexia intervention;
(f)
regarding the schools described in Subsection
(3)(c)
that the state board selects for
dyslexia intervention, collaborate with the state board to:
(i)
evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of evidence-based interventions
provided under the program, including:
(A)
analyses of student progress-monitoring data;
(B)
updates on a student's IEP or 504 Accommodation Plan;
(C)
intervention fidelity; and
(D)
student literacy outcomes; and
(ii)
report annually to the state board on the intervention outcomes described in this
Subsection
(5)(f)
;
(g)
report annually to the state board regarding the creation and outcomes of the screener
developed under Subsection
(5)(a)
;
(h)
use the reports the state board requires under Subsection
(9)(b)
to annually evaluate
the program; and
(i)
provide professional learning for educators on:
(i)
recognizing early indicators and characteristics of dyslexia;
(ii)
using screeners and progress monitoring tools;
(iii)
implementing evidence-based instruction and intervention practices; and
(iv)
communicating with families.
(6)
The University of Utah Education Policy Center and the University of Utah College of
Education may work in collaboration with the reading clinic at the University of Utah
established in Section
53H-4-209
to implement the requirements of Subsection
(5)
.
(7)
(a)
A district or charter school shall use the state board approved list described in
Subsection
(3)(e)
when screening a student for dyslexia.
(b)
A school district or charter school may use the dyslexia screening process the
University of Utah Education Policy Center and the University of Utah College of
Education develops under Subsection
(5)(a)
, at no cost, to satisfy the requirements of
this section.
(8)
Beginning July 1, 2027, a school district or charter school participating in the program:
(a)
shall use the state board approved screener to screen a student for dyslexia one time
who:
(i)
scores below or well below average on the benchmark assessments described in
Section
53E-4-307
; and
(ii)
is in kindergarten, first grade, or was not tested in kindergarten or first grade and
is demonstrating characteristics of dyslexia in second or third grade; and
(b)
shall provide additional screening to a student in kindergarten or first grade when
teacher observation or parent concern indicates characteristics of dyslexia.
(9)
In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
state board shall make rules to:
(a)
create an application process for a district or charter school to participate in the
program;
(b)
create reporting requirements for a district or charter school participating in the
program;
(c)
establish reporting requirements related to intervention delivery, including
documentation of intervention, dosage, duration, and student response;
(d)
in accordance with Subsection
(7)(a)
, enforce required dyslexia screening under the
program;
(e)
create a process for reviewing and criteria for approving dyslexia screeners;
(f)
identify the intervals for administering the dyslexia screener; and
(g)
maintain accessibility for the screener for district and charter schools.
(10)
A district or charter school that participates in the pilot program or the state board shall
report annually to the Education Interim Committee on the program's progress and
outcomes.
Section 3. Section
63I-1-253
is amended to read:
63I-1-253
Effective
07/01/26
. Repeal dates: Titles 53 through 53G.
(1)
Section
53-1-122
, Road Rage Awareness and Prevention Restricted Account, is
repealed July 1, 2028.
(2)
Section
53-2a-105
, Emergency Management Administration Council created --
Function -- Composition -- Expenses, is repealed July 1, 2029.
(3)
Section
53-2a-1103
, Search and Rescue Advisory Board -- Members -- Compensation,
is repealed July 1, 2030.
(4)
Section
53-2a-1104
, General duties of the Search and Rescue Advisory Board, is
repealed July 1, 2027.
(5)
Title 53, Chapter 2a, Part 15, Grid Resilience Committee
, is repealed July 1, 2027.
(6)
Section
53-2d-104
, State Emergency Medical Services Committee -- Membership --
Expenses, is repealed July 1, 2029.
(7)
Section
53-2d-503
, Establishment of maximum rates, is repealed July 1, 2027.
(8)
Section
53-5a-302
, Concealed Firearm Review Board -- Membership -- Compensation
-- Terms -- Duties, is repealed July 1, 2029.
(9)
Section
53-11-104
, Board, is repealed July 1, 2029.
(10)
Title
53, Chapter 31
, Department Interaction With Local Law Enforcement, is repealed
July 1, 2027.
(11)
Subsection
53C-3-203
(4)(b)(vii)
, regarding the distribution of money from the Land
Exchange Distribution Account to the Geological Survey for test wells and other
hydrologic studies in the West Desert, is repealed July 1, 2030.
(12)
Subsection
53E-1-201
(1)(q)
, regarding the Higher Education and Corrections Council,
is repealed July 1, 2027.
(13)
Subsection
53E-2-304
(6)
, regarding foreclosing a private right of action or waiver of
governmental immunity, is repealed July 1, 2027.
(14)
Subsection
53E-3-503
(5)
, regarding coordinating councils for youth in care, is
repealed July 1, 2027.
(15)
Subsection
53E-3-503
(6)
, regarding coordinating councils for youth in care, is
repealed July 1, 2027.
(16)
Subsection
53E-4-202
(8)(b)
, regarding a standards review committee, is repealed
January 1, 2028.
(17)
Section
53E-4-203
, Standards review committee, is repealed January 1, 2028.
(18)
Title 53E, Chapter 6, Part 5, Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission
, is
repealed July 1, 2033.
(19)
Subsection
53E-7-207
(7)
, regarding a private right of action or waiver of governmental
immunity, is repealed July 1, 2027.
(20)
Section
53F-5-215
, Elementary teacher preparation assessment grant, is repealed July
1, 2028.
(21)
Section
53F-5-219
, Local Innovations Civics Education Pilot Program, is repealed July
1, 2026.
(22)
Section
53F-5-224
, Dyslexia Screening Pilot Program, is repealed July 1, 2030.
(22)
(23)
Title 53F, Chapter 10, Part 2, Capital Projects Evaluation Panel
, is repealed July
1, 2027.
(23)
(24)
Subsection
53G-4-608
(2)(b)
, regarding the Utah Seismic Safety Commission, is
repealed January 1, 2025.
(24)
(25)
Subsection
53G-4-608
(4)(b)
, regarding the Utah Seismic Safety Commission, is
repealed January 1, 2025.
(25)
(26)
Section
53G-9-212
, Drinking water quality in schools, is repealed July 1, 2027.
(26)
(27)
Subsection
53G-9-703(4)
, regarding the parental video presentation concerning
student use of technology, is repealed January 1, 2030.
(27)
(28)
Subsection
53H-1-402(1)(j)
, regarding the Higher Education and Corrections
Council, is repealed July 1, 2027.
(28)
(29)
Section
53H-1-604
, Higher Education and Corrections Council, is repealed July
1, 2027.
(29)
(30)
Subsection
53H-4-210(3)
, regarding the creation of the SafeUT and School
Safety Commission, is repealed January 1, 2030.
(30)
(31)
Subsection
53H-4-210(4)
, regarding the appointment of the members of the
SafeUT and School Safety Commission, is repealed January 1, 2030.
(31)
(32)
Subsection
53H-4-210(5)
, regarding the attorney general designating the chair of
the SafeUT and School Safety Commission, is repealed January 1, 2030.
(32)
(33)
Subsection
53H-4-210(6)
, regarding the quorum requirements of the SafeUT and
School Safety Commission, is repealed January 1, 2030.
(33)
(34)
Subsection
53H-4-210(7)
, regarding a formal action of the SafeUT and School
Safety Commission, is repealed January 1, 2030.
(34)
(35)
Subsection
53H-4-210(8)
, regarding compensation for members of the SafeUT
and School Safety Commission, is repealed January 1, 2030.
(35)
(36)
Subsection
53H-4-210(9)
, regarding the support staff for the SafeUT and School
Safety Commission, is repealed January 1, 2030.
(36)
(37)
Section
53H-4-306.1
, Definitions -- Electrification of Transportation
Infrastructure Research Center, is repealed July 1, 2028.
(37)
(38)
Section
53H-4-306.2
, Electrification of Transportation Infrastructure Research
Center -- Designation -- Duties, is repealed July 1, 2028.
(38)
(39)
Section
53H-4-306.3
, Electrification of Transportation Infrastructure Research
Center -- Steering committee, is repealed July 1, 2028.
(39)
(40)
Section
53H-4-306.4
, Electrification of Transportation Infrastructure Research
Center -- Industry advisory board, is repealed July 1, 2028.
(40)
(41)
Section
53H-4-306.5
, Electrification of Transportation Infrastructure Research
Center -- Duties of the project director, is repealed July 1, 2028.
(41)
(42)
Section
53H-4-306.6
, Electrification of Transportation Infrastructure Research
Center -- Project development and strategic objectives -- Reporting requirements, is
repealed July 1, 2028.
(42)
(43)
Section
53H-4-307.1
, Center for Civic Excellence, is repealed July 1, 2030.
(43)
(44)
Section
53H-4-307.2
, Center for Civic Excellence -- Duties -- Authority, is
repealed July 1, 2030.
(44)
(45)
Section
53H-4-307.3
, Center for Civic Excellence -- Leadership, is repealed July
1, 2030.
(45)
(46)
Section
53H-4-307.4
, Center for Civic Excellence -- Faculty, is repealed July 1,
2030.
(46)
(47)
Section
53H-4-307.5
, Center for Civic Excellence -- Curriculum, is repealed July
1, 2030.
(47)
(48)
Section
53H-4-307.6
, Center for Civic Excellence -- Oversight -- Reporting, is
repealed July 1, 2030.
(48)
(49)
Section
53H-4-313
, Food Security Council, is repealed July 1, 2027.
(49)
(50)
Section
53H-8-305
, Five-year performance goals, is repealed July 1, 2027.
(50)
(51)
Title
53H, Chapter 10, Part 4
, Education Savings Incentive Program, is repealed
July 1, 2028.
Section 4.
FY 2027 Appropriations.
The following sums of money are appropriated for the fiscal year beginning July 1,
2026, and ending June 30, 2027. These are additions to amounts previously appropriated for
fiscal year 2027.
Subsection 4(a).
Operating and Capital Budgets
Under the terms and conditions of Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures Act, the
Legislature appropriates the following sums of money from the funds or accounts indicated for
the use and support of the government of the state of Utah.
PUBLIC EDUCATION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
ITEM 1
State Board of Education - Contracted Initiatives and Grants
From Public Education Economic Stabilization
Restricted Account, One-time
3,500,000
Dyslexia Intervention Programs
3,500,000
The Legislature intends that the State Board of
Education:
(1) use $1,500,000 of the appropriation under
this item to support the creation of the dyslexia screener
at the University of Utah Education Policy Center as
described in Section 53F-5-224;
(2) use $1,700,00 of the appropriation under this
item to support the development of the state's dyslexia
intervention plan at the University of Utah as described
in Section 53F-5-224;
(3) use $300,000 of the appropriation under this
item to procure a vendor to provide dyslexia intervention
to two elementary schools as described in Section
53F-5-224; and
(4) may use up to 5% of the appropriation under
this item to cover administrative costs associated with the
Dyslexia Screening Pilot Program.
Section 5.
Effective Date.
This bill takes effect on
July 1, 2026
.
3-10-26 2:33 PM