Starting in the 2026–27 school year, all Colorado kindergarten through third-grade students will be screened for dyslexia under a new state law (SB 25-200) signed by Governor Jared Polis. This is a big step to help children who struggle with reading — and may fall behind without anyone realizing it.

Dyslexia is common. It affects 1 in 5 people, but many children are not diagnosed early. Some kids can pass general reading tests while still struggling with spelling, sounding out words, or understanding what they read. Without help, these struggles can get worse over time.

What’s changing?

Every school district must now screen young students for signs of dyslexia. Schools can choose to:

Use a state-approved dyslexia screener, or

Create a process that meets state standards.

Screenings will be brief and held during the school day. A teacher or reading specialist will ask your child to recognize letter sounds, read simple words aloud, match sounds with letters, and complete other basic reading tasks. These screenings help identify students in need of support before reading difficulties escalate.

Parental Rights

If you disagree with the screening results or your child’s support, you have rights:

1. Request an Evaluation: You can ask the school to assess your child for a specific learning disability (SLD), like dyslexia. The school must respond in writing, agreeing to evaluate or explaining their reasons for denying it.

2. Dispute Resolution: If you disagree with the school’s decisions, you can file a state complaint or request mediation or a due process hearing through the Colorado Department of Education to resolve the issue.

Why this matters:

Reading is essential for learning. Struggling readers often face challenges in other subjects, too. This law focuses on early intervention to ensure no child is overlooked.

For parents, this is both serious and encouraging: Help is coming, starting early.