Senate committee advances coordinated screening bill to identify dyslexia and dyscalculia early

Senator Harrell told the committee that approximately 20 percent of students struggle with dyslexia-related reading difficulties and that early identification and intervention improve outcomes. SB 1340 would require districts to implement a coordinated screening and progress-monitoring system to identify students exhibiting characteristics of dyslexia and dyscalculia and put those students on tailored support plans.

According to the sponsor, support plans must include evidence-based reading and math interventions aligned with instructional best practices, and the State Board of Education would adopt rules to implement and enforce the screening procedures. In response to a senator's question, Harrell said the planned interventions would precede formal special-education evaluation: a child identified by screening would receive early interventions and, if further testing were needed for an Individualized Education Program (IEP), the district would pursue that evaluation.

The committee heard waivers of support from the Florida PTA and other participants, the sponsor closed and the clerk reported SB 1340 favorably on the roll call recorded in the meeting.

If enacted, the bill would shift districts toward earlier, coordinated screening and intervention steps designed to reduce missed opportunities for early support; details on screening instruments, timelines and monitoring requirements will be set in rulemaking.