SENATE ENROLLED ACT 217:  DYSLEXIA SCREENING LAW

SEA 217 requires all schools to screen every kindergarten through second grade student for risk factors of dyslexia each year using three levels of screeners:  universal screeners, level 1 screeners and level 2 screeners. The screenings must include the six components of literacy: phonological and phonemic awareness, sound symbol recognition, alphabet knowledge, decoding, rapid naming and encoding.  

North Miami will utilize the following screeners:

• Universal Screeners:  mClass
• Level 1:  mClass
• Level 2:  Phonological Awareness Test, 2nd Ed. (PAT-2) and Brigance Comprehensive Inventory of Basic Skills II (CIBS II) 

If the PALS/AR-RAN indicate the need, a Level 2 screener will be given.  If the school determines that a Level 2 screener should be administered, parents will be contacted and sign permission for the assessment to be given.  If any of the screeners indicate that a students has the characteristics of dyslexia, under SEA 217 the school must use the response to intervention process to address the needs fo the student.

NOTE:  The screenings are to identify students who show risk factors for dyslexia, not to diagnose students with dyslexia, as that can only be done by a medical professional.  Dyslexia is not covered under Indiana Article 7 Special Education Law. Students who have been medically diagnosed with dyslexia will be evaluated by the school to see if they meet the qualifications for a student with a specific learning disability as outlined in Article 7. 

Our data for the 2022 - 2023 school year is as follows:

• Total Students K - 2 Assessed with the PALS Screener: 149
• Total Students K - 2 Identified for PALS Intervention: 48
• Total Students K - 2 Provided PALS Intervention: 44

• Total Students K - 2 Assessed with the PALS Screener: 162
• Total Students K - 2 Identified for PALS Intervention: 48
• Total Students K - 2 Provided PALS Intervention: 43

• Total Students K - 2 Assessed with the PALS Screener: 159
• Total Students K - 2 Identified for PALS Intervention: 36
• Total Students K - 2 Provided PALS Intervention: 46