​​​​​​The definition of dyslexia adopted by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) states: “Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.”

​Dyslexia Video Series​

• ​Video 1: What is Dyslexia? (11:03 min.)
• Video 2: Reading Development and Dyslexia​ (10:20 min.)
• Video 3: Dyslexia and the IDEA​​​ (11:35 min.)
  
• ​Video 4: Structured Literacy and Dyslexia​​ (20:56 min.)​

To access the summaries of each video and a sharable flyer, click here.​

​​​To access the recordings of the four-part webinar series, Unraveling Dyslexia: A Closer Look at the GaDOE Dyslexia Video Series, click here. In each webinar, Dr. Sayeski “unraveled” the content presented in each vide​o. Dr. Sayeski and Dr. Lindstrom then answered questions to further clarify the information presented and provided guidance on how best to support students with dyslexia in the school setting.​​

Dyslexia Updates​

As of May 2019, Governor Kemp signed Senate Bill 48​ into law.  SB48 provides for identification of and support for students in kindergarten through third grade with dyslexia.

• Executive Summary of the Georgia Dyslexia Pilot Program Implementation Analysis 2019-2020​
• Execu​​tive Summary of the Georgia Dyslexia Pilot Program I​​mplementation Analysis 2020–2021: Year 1 of Implementation​​
• Georgia Dyslexia Pilo​t Program Implementation Analysis 2020-2021: Year 1 of Implementation
  
• Georgia Dyslexia Pilot Program Implementation Analysis 2021-2022: Year 2 of Implementation
• ​​Georgia Dyslexia Pilot Program Implementation Analysis KEY FINDINGS SUMMARY
• Georgia Dyslexia Pilot Program School-Level Implementation Analysis (May 2023)
• ​Georgia Dyslexia Pilot Program Implementation Analysis 2022-2023: Year 3 of Implementation​​
  

​​GaDOE hosted a Dyslexia Pilot District Panel webinar series in January and March, 2023. This two-part webinar series provided an opportunity for teachers and administrators to learn from representatives from the Dyslexia Pilot Districts. In Session 1, attendees heard directly from district representatives about how the pilot affected their core reading instruction, screening for dyslexia and other reading difficulties, intervention, progress monitoring, and the use of student data for instruction and intervention. Representatives also shared their districts’ successes, challenges, and lessons learned from the pilot so far. In Session 2, district representatives shared information about their Dyslexia leadership teams, professional learning support, and instructional shifts that have occurred since the inception of the pilot. Attendees were given the opportunity to ask questions of the pilot district representatives and Statewide Dyslexia Coordinator.

​Webinar recordings, power point presentations, and the Dyslexia Planning and Discussion Guide are below:​

• ​​January 26th re​cording and presentation​
• ​March 9th recording and presentation (Coming Soon!)
• Dyslexia Planning and​ Discussion Guide​

Dyslexia Task Force

​​​​​The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) Dyslexia Task Force is comprised of subject-matter experts and education stakeholders. Representatives of Georgia P-12 schools, colleges and universities, RESAs, professional associations, and other state agencies serve on the GaDOE Dyslexia Task Force. These stakeholders provide valuable input from diverse perspectives, helping ensure guidance and resources are fair and focused on improving educational outcomes for students, as well as educators. The Dyslexia Task Force met four times between November 30, 2022 and April 28, 2023 to address critical issues related to SB48 in Georgia. The following four working groups were formed based on the collective knowledge and expertise of each individual: (1) Screening for Characteristics of Dyslexia; (2) Dyslexia Parent Handbook; (3) Statewide Dyslexia Professional Learning; and (4) Dyslexia Informational Handbook. The Dyslexia Task Force will continue to meet twice per year (minimum) to continue to address critical issues related to Dyslexia.

​​Qualified Dyslexia Screening Tools​

The State Board of Education approved State School Superintendent Richard Woods’ recommendation to adopt the proposed list of Qualified Dyslexia Screening Tools​ at the May 2023 SBOE meeting. The Qualified Dyslexia Screening Tools are to be used by school districts for the identification and referral of students with characteristics of dyslexia.​​

The Georgia General Assembly provided funds in the FY24 budget to assist with the costs of the screening requirement. Grant funds are allocated to each LEA based on the number of s​tudents in kindergarten and grades one through three in the system. Additional funding guidance can be found here.​

GaPSC Approved Dyslexia Endorsement Programs

• Central Savannah River Area RESA​
• Columbus State University
• Georgia College and State University
• Georgia State University
• Griffin RESA
  
• Mercer University
  
• Metro RESA
• Middle Georgia RESA​​
  
• North Georgia RESA​​
  
• Northeast Georgia RESA
  
• Northwest Georgia RESA
  
• Okefenokee RESA​
• Reinhardt University
• Shorter University
  
• Thomas University
  
• Truett-McConnell University
  
• University of Georgia
  
• University of North Georgia
  
• University of West Georgia
  
• West Georgia RESA

Please contact the program provider or refer to GAPSC Approved Dyslexia Endorsement Programs for updates and further information. For information about the Dyslexia Endorsement​, contact the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

If you are a public school educator in Georgia looking for a dyslexia endorsement program approved by the state, please be sure to read the (released 12/7/2021) guidance document regarding selecting one of these approved dyslexia endorsement programs: GaDOE Dyslexia Endorsement Program Guidance Document​.​

Georgia's Dyslexia Pilot Pr​ogram

Per Senate Bill 48, beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, the State School Superintendent shall establish a three-year pilot program to demonstrate and evaluate the effectiveness of early reading assistance programs for students with risk factors for dyslexia.

The Dyslexia Pilot Program consists of the following districts:

​​     1. Charlton County School District

     2. City Schools of Decatur

     3. DeKalb County School District

     4. Jackson County School District

     5. Marietta City Schools

     6. Muscogee County School District

     7. Ware County School District

​Resources to Support Ge​orgia's Dyslexia Pilot Program can be found below:

• Southern Region Education Board: Resources to Support the Georgia Dyslexia Pilot Districts
• Region 6 Comprehensive Center at SERVE: Dyslexia Resources Dyslexia Resources​​

​Educator Resources

• Cox Campus’s free interactive courses and tools are designed to equip any adult interacting with children—from birth through age nine—in ways that support langua​​ge and literacy development.
• Key GaDOE Resources for Dyslexia and MTSS​
• International Dyslexia Association Georgia​
  
• The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity
• OSEP Dyslexia Guidance Letter​
• National Center on Improving Literacy - Schools and Districts
  

Dyslexia in the Classroom: What Every Teacher Needs to Know

Many elementary s​chool teachers have limited resources related to dyslexia and other learning differences. Dyslexia in the Classroom: What Every Teacher Needs to Know​ was developed to open the door for these educators to a better understanding of dyslexia. This handbook is intended to support all teachers in their passion to help eve​​ry child reach his or her fullest potential.​

Parent Information Resources

The following websites offer pa​rent friendly resources concerning dyslexia.

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
• Decoding Dyslexia Georgia​
• EduMed
• Get Georgia Reading
• International Dyslexia Association Georgia
• Kids Health Factsheet​
• Literacy for Learning, Living and Leading in Georgia (L4GA)
• Understood
• Parent to Parent of Georgia
• National Center on Improving Literacy - Parents and Families​

Dyslexia Presentations

The link to access archived dyslexia professional learning sessions can be found here.

• Foundational Reading Skill Development and Dyslexia: Serving All Students (Brief)
• Foundational Reading Skill Development and Dyslexia: Serving All Students (Extended)​​