Idaho

A comprehensive overview of Idaho’s enacted legislation, regulations, certification requirements, and state-provided resources related to dyslexia education.

Brief Summary

Idaho mandates dyslexia screening for K-5 students, evidence-based intervention strategies, and professional development for teachers. Educators must complete professional development training focused on dyslexia identification and effective intervention techniques.

Idaho Legislations and Regulations

HB731 (2022)

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Summary

This bill establishes requirements for dyslexia screening, intervention, and teacher training in Idaho schools. It mandates the use of the Idaho Reading Indicator (IRI) as a tier 1 screening measure for students in kindergarten through grade 3 and requires local education agencies to implement tier 1 screeners for students in grades 4 and 5.

How This Affects Families and Educators

The bill ensures early identification and intervention for students with dyslexia characteristics. Teachers will receive specialized training, and families can expect more targeted support for their children.

Idaho Code 33-1811

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Summary

This statute outlines the state’s approach to dyslexia screening, intervention, and professional development for educators. It requires the state Department of Education to identify reliable screening tools and provide professional development focused on multisensory-structured literacy techniques and evidence-based dyslexia interventions.

How This Affects Families and Educators

Educators will receive specialized training to help them recognize dyslexia characteristics and deliver effective instruction. By 2025-2026, all Idaho teachers and administrators involved in K-5 education will need to complete dyslexia-related professional development for recertification, ensuring they are better equipped to support students. Families can expect more comprehensive screening and intervention processes.

Teacher Certification and Professional Development Requirements

  • Under Idaho Code 33-1811, every certified educator in Idaho must be trained in strategies for teaching dyslexic students by 2025 or risk losing their certification to teach.
  • By the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year:
    • All K-5 instructional staff and coaches should have received professional development specific to providing instruction and intervention to students with characteristics of dyslexia.
    • Additionally, all teachers, administrators, and school counselors in grades 6-12 were required to complete professional development on the characteristics of dyslexia.
  • For certificate renewal starting in the 2025-2026 school year:
    • Educators with specific endorsements (e.g., all subjects K-8, exceptional child generalist, blended early childhood/early childhood special education, administrators, and school counselors serving K-5 students) must earn at least one professional development credit in identifying dyslexia characteristics and applying intervention strategies.
    • The Idaho State Department of Education maintains a list of approved courses fulfilling professional development requirements.
  • All professional development must align with the Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Plan and the Idaho Dyslexia Handbook.

More Info

Dyslexia Legislation Implementation Summary