2020 Archive

December 31, 2020

MN 2020 Legislative Session 

DDMN worked on 2 bills this session. The update to the Dyslexia screening was in the 2020 education omnibus bill signed by Governor Walz on June 23, 2020. In it was an update to dyslexia screening in the “Read Well by Third Grade” statute (120B.12). The Dyslexia Screening from the 2019 session will still go into effect starting in the 20-21 school year

Grant for LETRS training: SF3187 / HF3589 Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) grant funding provided, and money appropriated. 

Update to Screening requirements: SF3653 / HF3852 Reading proficiency and screening by third-grade reporting requirements clarified.


MN LEGISLATIVE SESSION 2020 ENDED MAY 18, 2020.

Governor Walz signed the 2020 education omnibus bill on June 23, 2020. In it was an update to dyslexia screening in the “Read Well by Third Grade” statute (120B.12).

The Dyslexia Screening from the 2019 session will still go into effect starting in the 20-21 school year. The updated Statute 120B.12 is as below, with the changes made in this 2020 session underlined.

“(a) Each school district must identify before the end of kindergarten, grade 1, and grade 2 all students who are not reading at grade level. Students identified as not reading at grade level by the end of kindergarten, grade 1, and grade 2 must be screened, in a locally determined manner, for characteristics of dyslexia.

(b) Students in grade 3 or higher who demonstrate a reading difficulty to a classroom teacher must be screened, in a locally determined manner, for characteristics of dyslexia, unless a different reason for the reading difficulty has been identified.

(c) Reading assessments in English, and in the predominant languages of district students where practicable, must identify and evaluate students’ areas of academic need related to literacy. The district also must monitor the progress and provide reading instruction appropriate to the specific needs of English learners. The district must use a locally adopted, developmentally appropriate, and culturally responsive assessment and annually report summary assessment results to the commissioner by July 1.

(d) The district also must annually report to the commissioner by July 1 a summary of the district’s efforts to screen and identify students with:

(1) who demonstrate characteristics of dyslexia, using screening tools such as those recommended by the department’s dyslexia specialist; or

(2)  With respect to students screened or identified under paragraph (a), the report must include:

(1) a summary of the district’s efforts to screen for dyslexia;

(2) the number of students screened for that reporting year; and

(3) the number of students demonstrating characteristics of dyslexia for that year.

(e) A student identified under this subdivision must be provided with alternate instruction under section 125A.56, subdivision 1.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for the 2020-2021 school year and later.