Committee advances funded dyslexia screening and intervention pilot

The Senate Education Committee voted unanimously to advance House Bill 393 (second substitute), a funded proposal to develop a statewide dyslexia screener and comprehensive intervention strategy.

Representative DeFe said the bill directs the University of Utah, in partnership with USBE, to develop and own a dyslexia screener (other states have created similar state‑owned screeners). The substitute funds pilot screening of K–1 students who test well below reading level and provisions to screen missed students in grades 2–3. The measure also funds creation of a University of Utah intervention plan and resources to scale evidence‑based interventions across LEAs; participation by LEAs would be optional.

Multiple parents and dyslexia interventionists testified in support, describing the high costs to families and lifelong harms when identification is delayed. Testimony included accounts of children identified only in later grades and parents who spent substantial sums on private remediation. Several advocacy organizations and national partners offered support while urging consideration of universal screening in future iterations.

Committee members noted the bill was funded in the budget and praised community stakeholders for their advocacy. The substitute was adopted and the committee sent the bill with a favorable recommendation.