Updates related to ARDC membership in light of HB 3928.  

• The bill created a new TEC §29.0031 that now specifies that someone with specific knowledge of the reading process, dyslexia and related disorders, and dyslexia instruction must serve on the LEA’s multidisciplinary team when dyslexia is the suspected disability.  This is a team of qualified professionals who conduct the evaluation for a student.

• When dyslexia is suspected, a person with specific knowledge in the reading process, dyslexia and related disorders, and dyslexia instruction must serve on the LEA’s multidisciplinary team and any ARD committee that is convened to determine eligibility for special education and related services. The bill created new TEC §29.0031, which lists three means to satisfy this membership requirement: 

  • • Be a licensed dyslexia therapist (LDT); 

    • Be an individual who holds the most advanced dyslexia-related certification issued by an association recognized by the SBOE, and identified in, or substantially similar to an association identified in, either the rules or Handbook adopted by the SBOE; or 

    • If neither of the first two is available, be an individual who meets applicable training requirements adopted by the SBOE. 

• The bill created a new TEC §29.0031 that now requires the dyslexia member of the multidisciplinary team or ARD committee to sign a document describing their involvement and participation in the evaluation and any resulting IEP. TEA expects the member to sign the evaluation report conducted by the multidisciplinary team. Participation and involvement in an ARD committee meeting should be noted on an IEP signature page and clearly indicate that the person is fulfilling the role of this required member. In this case, it might be appropriate to document the member’s role as the member required by TEC §29.0031(b).  

• The bill states that this member must be part of any ARD committee meeting convened to determine a student’s eligibility for special education and related services. This means that the member must be a part of an ARD committee meeting that determines initial eligibility and any meeting at which a change in and/or continued eligibility is discussed, as in a re-evaluation. 

Check out the updated dyslexia manual DRAFT.