My Child Was Flagged for Dyslexia — What Do I Do Now?

What does "flagged" actually mean?

Reading screeners are short assessments — typically 10 to 20 minutes — designed to identify children who may be at risk for reading difficulties. They measure things like how quickly a child can identify letter sounds, blend sounds into words, or read simple nonsense words (which tests decoding skills without relying on memorization).

Results usually come back in categories like "at risk," "some risk," or "low risk" — though the exact language depends on which tool your school uses. Being flagged means your child's score fell below the threshold the school uses to identify children who may need more support. It does not mean your child has dyslexia, and it does not mean they are behind permanently.

What it does mean is that the screening did its job. Early identification is exactly what these programs are designed to do — research from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development consistently shows that reading support is most effective when it starts early, before a child has spent years developing workarounds.

What happens after a screening flag?

This is where it gets state- and district-specific, but in general, schools are required to take some action after flagging a child. What that looks like varies.

In many states, a flag triggers a requirement for additional reading support — sometimes called tiered support (a system where children receive increasing levels of help based on their needs) or a reading improvement plan. In others, it results in a referral for a more comprehensive evaluation to determine whether a learning difference like dyslexia is present.

You are entitled to know exactly what your school's next step is — and to ask for it in writing. What your school is legally required to do depends on your state. Some states have specific timelines and required supports. Others leave more discretion to individual districts.

Is this the same as an evaluation for dyslexia?

No — and this distinction matters. A screening identifies risk. A full evaluation determines whether a learning difference is present and whether your child qualifies for legally protected services like a 504 Plan (a set of accommodations under civil rights law) or an IEP (Individualized Education Program — a legally binding plan that includes specialized instruction).

If you want more clarity than a screening result provides, you can request a comprehensive evaluation from your school at any time. The school must respond to that request in writing and complete the evaluation within a set timeline — typically 60 days, though this varies by state. Understanding the difference between a screening and a full evaluation is worth reading before your next conversation with the school.

What to do right now

1. Get the specifics in writing. Ask the school for the name of the screener they used, your child's score or performance band, and what follow-up they are recommending. If the letter didn't include this, send an email to your child's teacher or the school's reading specialist and ask directly. Email creates a record.

2. Ask what the school is required to do next. Schools vary significantly in what happens after a flag. Ask specifically: "What support is my child entitled to receive, and by when?" If the answer is vague, push for something in writing.

3. Don't wait to see if it resolves on its own. A screening flag is not something to monitor passively. Research from the Florida Center for Reading Research and others shows that reading gaps tend to widen over time without targeted support — they rarely close on their own.

4. Start consistent reading practice at home. While you navigate the school process, daily reading practice matters. Decodable books — texts matched to the specific sound patterns your child is currently learning — are particularly effective at this stage. Even ten minutes a day adds up.

5. Keep copies of everything. Every letter, every email, every meeting note. If you later need to advocate for an evaluation or additional services, documentation is what you'll rely on.

6. Find out what your state requires. The rights and timelines that apply to your child depend on where you live. Our state pages outline what schools in each state are required to do after a screening flag.

If you've got the letter in hand and you're not sure what your child's specific results mean, the Personalized Results Guide can walk you through what you're looking at and help you figure out what questions to bring to your next school meeting.