Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall include in its handbook regarding dyslexia guidelines on the administration of universal screeners for a risk of reading difficulties and secondary reviews, the interpretation of data from these screeners and reviews, and the resulting appropriate intervention within a multi-tiered system of support framework. Requires the State Board to adopt any rules necessary to ensure that a student will be screened for a risk of reading difficulties using a universal screener. Provides that a student shall be screened: (1) if the student is enrolled in a public school in any of grades kindergarten through 3; (2) if the student is in any of grades kindergarten through 3, transfers to a new public school, and has not been screened twice previously during the school year; (3) if the student is in grade 4 or higher and the student's teacher, parent, or guardian requests that the student be screened for a risk of reading difficulties using a universal screener; or (4) if the student is from another state and enrolls for the first time in any of grades kindergarten through 3 in a school district in the State. Provides that, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, each school district must screen students, no less than twice each school year, in grades kindergarten through 3 for a risk of reading difficulties using a universal screener approved by the State Board. Provides for intervention. Requires a report to the State Board. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1: Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Boards Article of the School Code. Provides that, on or before July 1, 2026, each school district that serves students in any of grades kindergarten through 3 shall report specified information to the State Board of Education regarding the use of early literacy screeners. Provides that, on or before January 1, 2027, the Illinois State Board of Education shall file a report with the General Assembly outlining the data received. Requires the report to be posted publicly on the State Board of Education's Internet website no later than January 1, 2027. Repeals the provisions on July 1, 2027.
House Floor Amendment No. 1: Provides that each school district shall report early literacy screening information on or before the 30th day of the 2026-2027 school year (rather than July 1, 2026) on the assessment reporting form developed by the State Board of Education. Provides that the report shall be posted publicly on the State Board of Education's Internet website no later than March (rather than January) 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 105 ILCS 5/2, 105 ILCS 5/10, 105 ILCS 5/34
Engrossed: 105 ILCS 5/10
Enrolled: 105 ILCS 5/10