Washington

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

Legislations and
Regulations Teacher Certification
Requirements Resources for Families
and Educators

Brief Summary

Washington mandates early dyslexia screening, evidence-based interventions, and teacher training in structured literacy techniques. Schools communicate regularly with families about intervention plans.

Washington Legislations and Regulations

SB6162 - Early Screening for Dyslexia (2018)

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Summary

This bill establishes requirements for the early screening of literacy skills related to dyslexia in Washington schools. It mandates that school districts conduct screenings for students in kindergarten through second grade and provides guidelines for interventions based on the screening results. Additionally, it calls for the convening of a dyslexia advisory board to identify best practices for screening and intervention.

How This Affects Families and Educators

By requiring early identification of dyslexia, this legislation ensures that students receive timely support and interventions. Educators are better equipped to address the needs of students with dyslexia, while families can expect proactive communication regarding their children’s literacy development.

RCW 28A.300.530

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Summary

This regulation requires the development of an educator training program focused on research-based, multisensory literacy interventions for students with dyslexia and a dyslexia handbook for teachers and parents, offering guidelines and statutory information.

How This Affects Families and Educators

This regulation families gain a comprehensive resource to understand and support their child’s needs, while ensuring schools follow consistent, informed practices. Teachers receive specialized training and guidelines to implement effective literacy interventions.

Teacher Certification and Professional Development Requirements

All educators in Washington are encouraged to participate in professional development focused on dyslexia identification and intervention strategies.
Training should include:
- Evidence-based instructional practices for teaching reading.
- Identification of students with characteristics of dyslexia.
- Implementation of tiered interventions through a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework.
School districts are required to provide ongoing support and resources for teachers working with students identified as having dyslexia.