In Texas, students with dyslexia, who had no other potentially disabling condition, have historically been evaluated and served through Section 504 rather than through the IDEA. However, TEA has changed that with a “To the Administrator Addressed” (TAA) letter on June 6, 2018 that clarifies that “Any time it is suspected that a student requires special education or related services to provide appropriate reading supports and interventions, a referral for a full individual and initial evaluation should be initiated.”

What exactly does this mean? Who will do the FIE – an educational diagnostician or a dyslexia specialist? Who will determine if a student has dyslexia? Who will determine if a student has a Learning Disability under the IDEA? Is there another way to identify a Learning Disability other than by a pattern of strengths and weaknesses? Will we have more students identified for special education? Will we have fewer Section 504 students?  What disorders are related to dyslexia? How do we evaluate for these related disorders? What if we do not have enough educational diagnosticians? What do we do this summer to get ready for this new way of doing things in the world of dyslexia?  

Nona Matthews, attorney with Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Russo & Kyle, will address these questions and more in what promises to be a fast-paced, yet practical, analysis of this TAA letter and its day-to-day implications in your district. Encourage your dyslexia and special education administrators to participate as well!