Illinois does not yet have a universal dyslexia screening mandate. Public Act 104-0389 (SB 1672), effective January 1, 2026, requires K-3 districts to report what literacy screeners they use — but it does not require schools to screen every child. A separate bill (HB 4406) that would mandate universal K-2 dyslexia screening starting in the 2026-27 school year is currently advancing in the Illinois General Assembly and has not yet passed as of June 2026.
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Illinois requires districts to report literacy screeners — but a screening mandate is still pending
A new Illinois law (Public Act 104-0389, effective January 1, 2026) requires K-3 school districts to report to the state what early literacy screeners they use and how often — but does not require schools to screen every child. A separate bill (HB 4406) that would mandate universal K-2 dyslexia screening starting in the 2026-27 school year is advancing in the legislature and has not yet passed. ---
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Illinois is at a turning point on dyslexia screening — but it's important to understand exactly where the state stands right now. A new law that took effect January 1, 2026 made headlines as an "early literacy screening law," but it does not require schools to screen your child. What it does do is require schools to report whether they're screening and how often — a transparency measure that is meant to pave the way for stronger legislation.
A separate bill that would actually mandate dyslexia screening is advancing through the legislature. Until that passes, Illinois parents are in a position that many families find frustrating: the state has a clear definition of dyslexia, a handbook for parents and educators, and a growing literacy infrastructure — but no law requiring your school to find your child before you find them.
Here's what's actually in place today, what's changing, and what you can do as a parent right now.
How Screening Works in Illinois — Right Now
There is no universal dyslexia screening requirement in Illinois. Whether your child is screened depends entirely on your school district's own policies and resources.
Some districts screen proactively. Chicago Public Schools, for example, uses iReady for all kindergarten through second grade students, which includes a dyslexia screener. But this is not required by state law — it's a district-level decision. Many Illinois schools, particularly in smaller or under-resourced districts, do not conduct systematic dyslexia screening at all.
What the new law actually does: Public Act 104-0389 (also known as Senate Bill 1672), which took effect January 1, 2026, requires every Illinois school district serving students in kindergarten through third grade to report to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) by the 30th day of the 2026-27 school year: which early literacy screeners they use (if any), which grade levels receive them, and how frequently they administer them. ISBE must compile and publish this data by March 1, 2027.
This reporting law is a meaningful step — it will create the first statewide picture of where screening is and isn't happening, which advocates expect to fuel the argument for a mandate. But it does not require any school to screen any student.
What's coming — the bill advocates are watching: House Bill 4406, active in the 104th Illinois General Assembly, would require all K-2 school districts to conduct universal dyslexia screening starting in the 2026-27 school year using a state-approved universal screener. If a student is identified as at risk or at some risk, they would receive a more detailed Level I dyslexia screening. Schools would be required to implement a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) framework if a student shows risk factors or characteristics of dyslexia. ISBE would be required to provide technical assistance to districts. As of June 2026, this bill has not yet passed.
Why Illinois is behind: Advocates have been pushing for a mandated dyslexia screening law in Illinois since at least 2019. Multiple versions of this same bill have been introduced — and stalled — in successive legislative sessions. The barrier has consistently been the difficulty of moving through Illinois' legislative process, not lack of evidence or advocacy energy. Everyone Reading Illinois, the state's primary dyslexia advocacy organization, has continued to push these bills forward each year.
No state-approved screener list: Unlike states with active mandates (Georgia, California, Arizona), Illinois does not currently maintain an approved screener list for dyslexia specifically. ISBE offers guidance through its Universal Early Literacy Screening Guidance document, which recommends screeners and explains how to use them within an MTSS framework — but districts are not required to follow it.
What Screening Results Mean
Because there's no standard statewide screening process, what you receive after a screening — and how it's communicated — varies significantly by district.
If your school does use a screener, results are typically reported in categories like "at benchmark," "at some risk," or "at risk" (the exact language depends on which screener is used). ISBE's guidance document describes a two-stage process: a universal early literacy screener first, followed by more detailed diagnostic assessments for students who show risk factors. The diagnostic information is what helps a teacher understand the specific skill gaps your child may have.
Screening is not a diagnosis. A screening result — even one that shows your child is at risk for reading difficulties — does not mean your child has dyslexia. It means there are indicators worth investigating further. A full evaluation, conducted by a qualified professional, is what leads to an identification. ISBE's Dyslexia Handbook (2024) includes guidance on how to interpret screening data and how it connects to the evaluation and IEP process.
If your school isn't screening at all: You don't have to wait. You can request a full evaluation directly (see "Your Rights as a Parent" below), and you can ask your child's teacher or school psychologist whether any literacy or reading screeners are used at your school.
What Your School Must Do
This is where Illinois gets complicated. Without a statewide screening mandate, there is no state law requiring your school to proactively identify your child as at risk for dyslexia. What your school is required to do falls under federal special education law and ISBE's broader special education framework:
Respond to evaluation requests. If you request an evaluation in writing, your school must respond within 14 school days — either agreeing to evaluate or providing written notice of why it's declining. If they agree, they must complete a comprehensive evaluation within 60 school days.
Develop an IEP if your child qualifies. If your child is evaluated and meets the eligibility criteria for a specific learning disability (which includes dyslexia), the school must develop an IEP and provide specially designed instruction.
Implement MTSS if concerns arise. ISBE's guidance encourages schools to use a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS — a framework that provides increasing levels of targeted instruction based on student need) when a student is struggling with foundational reading skills. This is guidance, not a mandate, so how consistently it's applied varies widely across districts.
Provide a 504 Plan if appropriate. If your child has dyslexia but doesn't meet special education eligibility, a 504 Plan can provide accommodations to help them access grade-level instruction.
A note on Illinois' implementation gap: Dyslexia advocates in Illinois have publicly documented a significant gap between what the law encourages and what is happening in practice. The Chalkbeat Chicago reporting on the state literacy plan (2024) and advocacy from groups like Everyone Reading Illinois and the CPS Family Dyslexia Collaborative describe parents waiting years for screenings and IEPs. The Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan (2024) itself acknowledges the need for early screening while noting that no mandate exists. If your school is not being responsive, knowing your federal rights — especially the right to request an evaluation in writing — is your most important tool.
Your Rights as a Parent
You can request an evaluation at any time — and it's free. Under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act — the federal law governing special education), any parent who suspects their child may have a learning disability, including dyslexia, can request a free and comprehensive evaluation from their school. Your request must be in writing. The school must respond within 14 school days.
You do not need a diagnosis first. A school evaluation is not the same as a private clinical evaluation. You don't need to pay out of pocket before asking the school to evaluate your child.
You have the right to independent evaluation. If you disagree with the school's evaluation, you can request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE — an evaluation done by a qualified professional outside the school system) at the school's expense, as long as you follow the proper process.
You have the right to an IEP or 504 Plan. If your child is found eligible under special education criteria, they must receive an IEP. If they have a documented disability that substantially limits a major life activity (reading qualifies) but don't meet special education criteria, a 504 Plan can still provide meaningful accommodations — extended time, preferential seating, assistive technology, modified assignments.
You have the right to participate in every step. IDEA requires that parents be full participants in IEP meetings — not passive recipients of decisions made without them. You can request meetings, bring support people, and challenge decisions through a formal dispute process if needed.
Know Illinois' definition of dyslexia. ISBE formally adopted the International Dyslexia Association's definition of dyslexia into administrative code (23 IAC Part 226.125). Illinois defines dyslexia as a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin, characterized by difficulty with accurate and fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities, typically resulting from a deficit in the phonological component of language. This matters if you're advocating for your child at school — you can reference this definition.
What If My Child Is in Private School?
Illinois' screening reporting requirements (PA 104-0389) apply to public school districts. Private schools are not required to screen or report.
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 required to identify and evaluate children with suspected disabilities who live within their boundaries, regardless of where they attend 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 evaluation results to advocate with your private school for accommodations and evidence-based reading instruction, even though they aren't legally required to provide them the way public schools are.
ISBE Dyslexia Page
ISBE's dyslexia resources page includes the 2024 Dyslexia Handbook, the Universal Early Literacy Screening Guidance document, and links to special education resources for parents.
isbe.net/Pages/Dyslexia.aspx
ISBE Dyslexia Handbook (2024)
Updated in January 2024, this 100+ page handbook covers how to identify signs of dyslexia, how screeners work within an MTSS framework, how to interpret results, and how the IEP and evaluation process applies to students with dyslexia. Written for parents, educators, and students.
isbe.net/Documents/Dyslexia-Handbook.pdf
ISBE Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan
Released January 2024 under PA 103-0402. Provides a statewide roadmap for evidence-based literacy instruction from pre-K through grade 12, including guidance on screening and MTSS. No mandate for districts to adopt it, but it is the official state literacy framework.
isbe.net/literacyplan
Everyone Reading Illinois
Illinois' primary dyslexia advocacy organization, active in Springfield pushing for a screening mandate. Hosts the annual "Dynamics of Dyslexia" Fall Conference (next: November 4-5, 2026). Provides resources for families and educators, and connects families with local support.
everyonereadingillinois.org
IDA Illinois Branch
The regional branch of the International Dyslexia Association. Provides events, professional development resources, and family support across Illinois.
il.dyslexiaida.org
Decoding Dyslexia Illinois
A parent-led advocacy group focused on education, awareness, and legislative change. Part of the national Decoding Dyslexia movement.
decodingdyslexiail.org
SLD Support Project / Dyslexia Toolkit
The SLD Support Project, which produced ISBE's Dyslexia Handbook, maintains an online toolkit at sldsupports.org with screener resources, video guides, and additional materials for parents navigating the Illinois special education system.
sldsupports.org
Sources
Public Act 104-0389 (SB 1672) — Early Literacy Screener Reporting. Effective January 1, 2026. Requires K-3 districts to report to ISBE the screeners used, grade levels, and frequency by the 30th day of the 2026-27 school year. ISBE must report data to the General Assembly by January 1, 2027, and post to its website by March 1, 2027. Franczek School Law Legislative Update, January 2026 | NBC Chicago, December 2025
Illinois HB 4406 — SCH CD-DYSLEXIA SCREENING (104th General Assembly, 2025-2026). Would mandate universal K-2 dyslexia screening beginning 2026-27. As of June 2026, has not been signed into law. BillTrack50
Illinois HB 2918 — SCH CD-DYSLEXIA SCREENING (104th General Assembly). Earlier version proposing 2025-26 start. Re-referred to House Rules Committee on March 21, 2025. Not enacted. LegiScan
Public Act 103-0402 — Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan (2023). Requires ISBE to develop a statewide literacy plan, curriculum evaluation rubric, and professional development for educators. Plan released January 2024. No mandate for districts to adopt. ISBE Literacy Plan | Illinois Policy Institute, July 2024
Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan FAQ — ISBE. Confirms: "There is no legislative mandate for districts to adopt or align their [local literacy plans]" and "There is no legislative timeline or mandate for districts to implement the plan." isbe.net/Documents/FAQ-Illinois-Comprehensive-Literacy-Plan.pdf
Public Act 98-0705 — IDA Dyslexia Definition Adoption (2014). Requires ISBE to incorporate the IDA definition of dyslexia into administrative code. Implemented as 23 Illinois Administrative Code Part 226.125. State of Dyslexia — Illinois
Public Act 100-0617 — Dyslexia Handbook (2018). Requires ISBE to develop, update every four years, and maintain a public Dyslexia Handbook. Current edition is 2024. ISBE Dyslexia Handbook 2024
ISBE Universal Early Literacy Screening Guidance document (2024). Non-mandatory guidance recommending a two-stage screening process — universal screener followed by diagnostic assessments — within an MTSS framework. Clarifies that universal screening is not currently required by state law. isbe.net/Documents/Universal-Early-Literacy-Screening-Guidance.pdf
The Reading League Compass — Illinois (November 2025). Confirms: "Illinois does not currently mandate one statewide early literacy screener." Confirms PA 104-0389 requires reporting beginning 2026-27. Notes PA 103-0402 requires ISBE to measure educator preparation for literacy beginning July 1, 2026. thereadingleague.org/compass/policymakers-and-state-education-agencies/illinois/
Chalkbeat Chicago — "Illinois reading advocates say more work is needed to change how literacy is taught in schools" (February 7, 2024). Documents advocates' concerns about implementation gap, parents waiting years for IEPs and screenings, and the literacy plan's recommendation-not-mandate approach to universal screening. chalkbeat.org
Chalkbeat Chicago — "Illinois advocates say the state board's literacy plan needs to do more for students with dyslexia" (October 17, 2023). Documents Chicago parents' experiences waiting years for dyslexia support; confirms Chicago Public Schools uses iReady (with dyslexia screener) for K-2 voluntarily. Quotes CPS Family Dyslexia Collaborative co-founder: "I'm proud that we have [the handbook] and I'm proud that we took steps, but I don't think it'll really make a difference until it gets implemented." chalkbeat.org
The Center Square — "IL dyslexia screening takes effect Jan. 1, drawing reading instruction debate" (December 26, 2025). Provides coverage of SB 1672 taking effect and the debate around whether reporting requirements alone will drive meaningful change. thecentersquare.com
Everyone Reading Illinois — Legislation page. Confirms the organization has been actively advocating for a mandatory screening and intervention bill in Illinois. everyonereadingillinois.org/legislation
Last verified: June 3, 2026
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