Here's what you need to know in Ohio

Ohio has had dyslexia screening on the books since 2021, and the requirements have been in effect in classrooms since the 2023-24 school year. That makes Ohio one of the states where parents are actively living with the law now — getting screening letters, sitting in meetings, and trying to figure out what the results mean.

One thing trips up a lot of parents (and a fair amount of online summaries): people describe Ohio as having "universal K-3 dyslexia screening." That was true for one year. The ongoing requirement is narrower, and knowing the difference matters when you're deciding what to ask your school for. Here's what's actually required and what it means for your family.

How Screening Works in Ohio

Ohio's dyslexia support laws (Ohio Revised Code §§ 3323.25, 3323.251, 3319.077, and 3319.078) were created by House Bill 436, signed in January 2021. The screening requirement was delayed once and took effect in the 2023-24 school year.

Who gets screened, and when. In the 2023-24 school year, districts did a one-time universal screening of all students in kindergarten through third grade. Starting in 2024-25 — and every year since — the ongoing rule is different:

• Kindergarten: universal. Every kindergarten student is screened with a tier 1 (universal) dyslexia screener. The screening happens between January of the kindergarten year and the end of the following calendar year (so it can fall in early first grade).
• Grades 1-6: by request. Students in grades 1 through 6 are screened if a parent or guardian requests it, or if a teacher requests it and the parent grants permission. This screening isn't automatic — but if you ask for it, the school must provide it.

So if you hear that Ohio "screens all K-3 students," that describes the first year of the rollout, not what's required now. Today, kindergarten screening is universal, and screening in the later elementary grades is something you can — and may need to — ask for.

Which screeners are used. Districts choose a universal screener from the state's List of Approved Assessments, maintained by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW). For the 2025-26 school year the approved tools include mCLASS DIBELS 8th Edition, Acadience Reading K-6, i-Ready, NWEA MAP Growth, Star CBM, and Exact Path. These are the same kinds of reading assessments many Ohio schools already use, so your child may be screened with a tool you've seen on a report card before. DEW is revising the approved list for the 2026-27 school year, so the specific options at your school may shift.

What happens after the universal screen. If the screener flags your child as "at risk," the school monitors their reading progress for up to six weeks — checking in around the second, fourth, and sixth weeks. If your child isn't making progress by the end of that window, the school gives a more in-depth tier 2 dyslexia screening to look more closely.

There's no opt-out written into the dyslexia screening law. Unlike some states, Ohio's dyslexia screening statute doesn't include a parent opt-out provision for the universal kindergarten screen. If you have questions or concerns about screening, the best step is to talk directly with your child's school.

What Screening Results Mean

A screening is a quick check, not a diagnosis. It's designed to flag children who may be at risk for reading difficulties like dyslexia so the school can look closer and provide support sooner — not to put a label on your child.

Depending on the screener your school uses, results usually sort children into categories like "at risk," "some risk," or "at/above benchmark" (on track for their grade). The exact words depend on the tool.

• "At risk" means the screener picked up something worth watching. It triggers the progress-monitoring step described above. It does not mean your child has dyslexia.
• "Dyslexia tendencies" is the phrase Ohio law uses for a child identified through the deeper tier 2 screening. Even this is not a clinical diagnosis. It means the school has seen enough to provide targeted reading support and give you specific information — and it may be a reason to consider a full evaluation.

Screening and diagnosis are different things. A school screening identifies risk and the need for support. A formal diagnosis of dyslexia comes from a comprehensive evaluation — which a school can conduct to determine special education eligibility, or which a qualified professional (such as a school psychologist or licensed psychologist with training in dyslexia) can conduct outside of school. If you want a diagnosis, screening results alone won't give you one, but they can be the reason you request an evaluation.

What Your School Must Do

Ohio law lays out specific steps schools must take. If your child is identified as at risk:

Monitor progress and tell you. The school checks your child's reading progress over a six-week window and notifies you. Many districts include dyslexia information and resources in the letter they send when a child is flagged.

Provide a tier 2 screening if needed. If your child doesn't show progress, the school must administer a follow-up (tier 2) dyslexia screening to look more carefully at their reading skills.

Report tier 2 results within 30 days. The school must report the results of a tier 2 screening to you within 30 days of giving it. If the screening shows dyslexia tendencies, the school must also give you information about reading development, the risk factors for dyslexia, and descriptions of evidence-based supports.

Explain its structured literacy program in writing. If your child shows markers for dyslexia, the school must provide a written explanation of the district's structured literacy program — the explicit, systematic approach to teaching reading that Ohio law requires districts to use.

Use trained teachers. Ohio requires dyslexia-specific professional development for teachers. Kindergarten and first-grade teachers had to complete it by the 2023-24 school year, second- and third-grade teachers by 2024-25, and special education teachers in grades 4-12 by 2025-26. Separately, under House Bill 33 (Ohio's 2023 budget law), nearly all teaching staff had to complete training in the science of reading by June 30, 2025. Your child's teacher should have foundational training in how children learn to read and in recognizing characteristics of dyslexia.

If the school isn't following through: Put your concerns and requests in writing, keep copies, and ask for a meeting. You can also request a special education evaluation directly (see below), and free advocacy help is available through OCECD's parent mentors, listed under "Where to Get Help."

Your Rights as a Parent

You can request screening for an older child. If your child is past kindergarten and you're worried about their reading, you (or their teacher, with your permission) can request a dyslexia screening for any student in grades 1-6. The school is required to provide it.

You can request a special education evaluation at any time. If you believe your child has dyslexia or another disability that's affecting their learning, you can ask your school district for a full evaluation — you don't have to wait for the screening process to run its course. This right comes from IDEA (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the federal special education law). Make the request in writing and date it.

You have the right to an IEP or a 504 Plan if your child qualifies. If an evaluation finds your child eligible, they may receive an IEP (Individualized Education Program — specially designed instruction for students with disabilities) or a 504 Plan (accommodations that remove barriers to learning). A dyslexia screening result is not the same as either of these; it's a separate, earlier step.

You have a say in retention decisions. Ohio's Third Grade Reading Guarantee is a separate program from dyslexia screening, but many families encounter both. Under changes made by House Bill 33 in 2023, holding a child back at the end of third grade is no longer automatic. After consulting with your child's teacher and principal, a parent can request that the child move on to fourth grade — and the child continues to receive reading support either way.

Your communications should be accessible. Schools are expected to communicate with families about screening and support in a way parents can understand.

What If My Child Is in Private School?

• Ohio's dyslexia screening requirements apply to public schools (including public charter and STEM schools). Your private school is not required to screen for dyslexia under these laws, though some choose to.
• Under federal law (IDEA Child Find), you can request a free evaluation from your local public school district — even if your child attends private school. The district is responsible for identifying and evaluating children with suspected disabilities who live within its boundaries, regardless of where they go to school.
• If your child is evaluated and found eligible for services, the support available while remaining in private school is more limited than what a public school student would receive. Services for privately placed students are funded through a proportional share of federal funds, not the full entitlement.
• You can use screening and evaluation results to work with your private school on accommodations and instructional approaches — even though they aren't legally required to provide them the way public schools are.

For a deeper look at how federal law applies to private school students with dyslexia, see our article My Child Has Dyslexia and Goes to Private School — What Are My Options?

Where to Get Help

Ohio Department of Education and Workforce — Dyslexia Supports DEW's dyslexia pages cover the screening requirements, the Ohio Dyslexia Guidebook, the approved-assessment list, teacher training, and the Ohio Dyslexia Committee. A good starting point for understanding what the law requires. education.ohio.gov/Topics/Learning-in-Ohio/Literacy/Dyslexia

Ohio's Dyslexia Guidebook The official best-practices guide developed by the Ohio Dyslexia Committee. It includes an appendix of dyslexia risk factors for parents and caregivers to watch for, plus a glossary of terms — useful if you want to understand the language your school is using. education.ohio.gov — Ohio's Dyslexia Guidebook (PDF)

Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD) OCECD provides free, trained parent mentors assigned to regions across Ohio. They offer advocacy support and free parent training — including help understanding evaluations, IEPs, and 504 Plans. A strong first call if you feel out of your depth in a school meeting. ocecd.org

Decoding Dyslexia Ohio A grassroots, parent-led network with regional branches across the state. Good for community support, local events, and connecting with other Ohio families navigating the same system. decodingdyslexiaohio.org

International Dyslexia Association — Ohio branches Ohio is served by three IDA branches: Central Ohio (COBIDA), Northern Ohio (NOBIDA), and Ohio Valley (covering the Dayton and Cincinnati areas). They offer parent resources, provider referral lists, workshops, and conferences. Central Ohio · Northern Ohio · Ohio Valley

Children's Dyslexia Centers in Ohio Several Children's Dyslexia Centers across Ohio provide structured literacy tutoring at no charge to children who have been identified as dyslexic, regardless of family income. Worth checking for a location near you.