Senate Education Committee advances bill to require universal dyslexia screening for K–3 after hours of testimony

The Colorado Senate Education Committee voted unanimously late Thursday to advance Senate Bill 200, a measure that would require universal screening for characteristics of dyslexia for students in kindergarten through third grade and strengthen follow-up services for students who screen at risk.

Sponsors said the bill is intended to catch students earlier so they receive targeted interventions rather than waiting until they fall behind. “When a student has dyslexia, a generalized reading intervention doesn’t work for that student,” sponsor Senator Dylan Mullica said in opening remarks, describing personal experience as a parent. “We’re trying to make sure that if a student is identified with a reading deficiency that we dig a little deeper.”

Why it matters: Colorado reading scores remain below desired benchmarks and advocates testified that identifying dyslexia early can change long-term outcomes. Supporters said universal screening and better follow-up will reduce long-term academic and social harms; critics and some committee members sought safeguards about how screening is implemented and how results interact with existing assessments.

What the bill and amendments do - Core requirement: SB 200 requires universal dyslexia screening for students in grades K–3. The bill directs the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) to set standards for valid, reliable screeners and data-driven…