California Dyslexia Resources
Public schools screen K-2 for reading risk each year. Ask for an assessment and free parent support.
More about dyslexia help in California
Public schools screen K-2 for reading risk each year, unless parents opt out in writing. From 2026-27, the required kindergarten screening cannot occur before the 91st school day; screening is not a diagnosis.
Families can ask in writing for a special education assessment. The district then has 15 calendar days to send a plan, and 60 calendar days after your consent to test and hold the IEP meeting.
Start here
The go-to contacts for families in California.
State dyslexia guidance
California Department of Education Dyslexia Guidelines
State guide to spotting dyslexia, testing for it, and teaching students who have it.
FreeSpecial education office
California Department of Education Special Education Division
Find California special education rights and complaint contacts
FreeFree legal advocacy
Disability Rights California
Phone help with legal questions about disability rights, for people with disabilities and families.
Help for your part of California
Alameda, Alpine, and 28 more counties1 contact
Alameda, Alpine, and 41 more counties1 contact
Fresno, Kings, and 2 more counties1 contact
Imperial, Kern, and 8 more counties1 contact
Los Angeles, San Diego, and 4 more counties1 contact
Los Angeles, Ventura, and 2 more counties1 contact
Dyslexia association
International Dyslexia Association Los Angeles(opens in a new tab)
Marin, Napa, and 2 more counties1 contact
Merced, Mariposa, and 10 more counties1 contact
Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties1 contact
San Diego County1 contact
Dyslexia association
International Dyslexia Association San Diego(opens in a new tab)
San Francisco County1 contact
More go-to contacts
Parent-led dyslexia group
Decoding Dyslexia California(opens in a new tab)
Department of education
California Department of Education(opens in a new tab)
Adult reading help
California Library Literacy Services(opens in a new tab)
Job help for adults
California Department of Rehabilitation(opens in a new tab)
How to get help in California
The steps and deadlines in California rules.
Put the request in writing
Ask your district to assess a suspected reading disability. Keep the dated request; ask for written notice if refused.
- Time limit: 15 days
Get the assessment plan
The district must give you a proposed assessment plan within 15 calendar days. School breaks of more than five school days do not count.
- Time limit: 15 days
Review and give consent
You have at least 15 calendar days after receiving the proposed plan to decide whether to consent.
- Time limit: 60 days
Complete assessment and meeting
The district must test your child and hold the IEP meeting within 60 calendar days of your signed consent. Long school breaks do not count.
Write the learning plan
If eligible, help write the IEP and give informed written consent for initial services. Ask for a 504 assessment if needed.
Choose the right disagreement option
If you disagree with the district's assessment, ask for an independent evaluation. Mediation and complaints address other disputes.
California dyslexia law
Each answer opens to what the law says and where.
Dyslexia screening
Yes
What it says
Annual K-2 screening began in 2025-26, with written opt-out; required kindergarten screening is now after 90 school days.
Help after screening
Yes
What it says
Schools must give students found at risk support that fits their needs, such as literacy instruction, tutoring, or more testing.
Education Code § 53008(l) (2023)
Teacher training
Partly
What it says
Teacher preparation includes dyslexia guidance under SB 488; new literacy specialist and administrator standards are due in 2028.
SB 488 (2021); AB 1454 (2025), Education Code §§ 44265.1, 44270.6 (2021)
Dyslexia defined in law
Partly
What it says
State rules include dyslexia in specific learning disability; state guidelines describe its word-reading, spelling, and decoding problems.
5 CCR § 3030(b)(10)(A); California Dyslexia Guidelines, chapter 1
State dyslexia handbook
Yes
What it says
The California Department of Education publishes California Dyslexia Guidelines for educators and families.
AB 1369, Statutes of 2015 (2015)
State dyslexia specialist
Partly
What it says
The education department names a dyslexia contact in its special education division; a statewide dyslexia coordinator was not confirmed.
Science of reading law
PartlyMore from January 2027
What it says
By January 31, 2027, the state must adopt K-8 reading materials built on phonics and the dyslexia guidelines. No three-cueing ban.
- Compare dyslexia laws in every state
Dyslexia testing, tutoring and support in California
Pick what you need.
Get tested
School testing is free. Clinics add detail.
University of California Los Angeles Psychology Clinic (opens in a new tab)
Learning assessments for ages 16 and older; lower-cost assessment waitlist is closed
Tutoring and programs
Explicit, structured reading help.
California State University Northridge Special Education Literacy Clinic (opens in a new tab)
Supervised reading and writing tutoring for students with special needs, ages 5-20
RiteCare Childhood Language Center of Sacramento (opens in a new tab)
Serves Sacramento County
Free dyslexia-related evaluation and structured literacy therapy for eligible students up to age 12
Learn about dyslexia
Plain guides from trusted experts.
University of California San Francisco Dyslexia Center Multitudes (opens in a new tab)
The state-approved reading screener that about a third of California public schools use in K-2.
For adults
It is never too late to get help.
Humboldt Literacy Project (opens in a new tab)
Serves Humboldt County
Free one-to-one reading and writing tutoring for Humboldt County adults age 18 and older
Shasta Public Libraries Literacy Program (opens in a new tab)
Serves Shasta County
Free reading and writing tutoring for Shasta County adults and families
For teachers
Orton-Gillingham and structured literacy training.
Dyslexia Training Institute (opens in a new tab)
Online introduction to structured literacy and Orton-Gillingham for educators and parents
University of California and California State University Literacy and Dyslexia Collaborative (opens in a new tab)
Free online learning modules on literacy and dyslexia for educators
Schools for dyslexia in California
Each one has a documented reading program. Ask to see it.
10 of 10 shown
- Dyslexia school
The Prentice School(opens in a new tab)
North Tustin · Orange County · Grades 1-8
Private school with Orton-Gillingham instruction for dyslexic students
Financial aid - Dyslexia school
Bayhill School(opens in a new tab)
Berkeley · Alameda County · Grades 7-12
Grades 7-12 in Berkeley for students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities, in small classes.
Financial aid - Dyslexia school
Frostig School(opens in a new tab)
Pasadena · Los Angeles County · Grades 1-12
Grades 1-12 in Pasadena and West Los Angeles for students with dyslexia and other learning differences.
Financial aid - Dyslexia school
Park Century School(opens in a new tab)
Culver City · Los Angeles County · Grades K-8
K-8 school in Culver City for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences.
Financial aid - Dyslexia school
Westmark School(opens in a new tab)
Encino · Los Angeles County · Grades 2-12
Grades 2-12 in Encino for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities.
Financial aid - Dyslexia school
Chartwell School(opens in a new tab)
Seaside · Monterey County · Grades 1-12
Grades 1-12 in Seaside for students with dyslexia, with Orton-Gillingham-based reading classes.
Financial aid - Dyslexia school
Sterne School(opens in a new tab)
San Francisco · San Francisco County · Grades 4-12
Grades 4-12 in San Francisco for students with dyslexia, with daily Orton-Gillingham-based reading support.
Financial aid - Dyslexia school
Stanbridge Academy(opens in a new tab)
San Mateo · San Mateo County · Grades K-12
K-12 school in San Mateo for students with dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and other learning differences.
Financial aid - PublicClassroom program
Spring Grove School(opens in a new tab)
Hollister · San Benito County · Grades TK-8
Public school using Orton-Gillingham strategies in transitional kindergarten through grade 3
- Public districtClassroom program
Alta Loma School District(opens in a new tab)
San Bernardino County
Orton-Gillingham reading methods in every kindergarten to grade 2 classroom, plus early reading screening.
How California reads
Students and adults, next to the whole U.S.
4th graders reading at Proficient
Public schools. The Nation's Report Card (NAEP), 2024
8th graders reading at Proficient
Public schools. The Nation's Report Card (NAEP), 2024
Adults who struggle to read
Ages 16 to 74 at or below Level 1 in a national adult skills survey (PIAAC), data through 2017
NAEP Proficient is a high bar, not the same as “on grade level.” Adult figures are model estimates. Sources: The Nation’s Report Card and the U.S. PIAAC Skills Map, both from NCES.
See reading scores in every stateAlso good, in every state
Bookshare (opens in a new tab)
Ebooks read aloud with highlighting, free for U.S. students with dyslexia; adults pay a yearly fee.
Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) (opens in a new tab)
Find your state's federally funded parent center for help with special education.
International Dyslexia Association (IDA) Provider Directory (opens in a new tab)
Search IDA's directory for dyslexia testing, tutoring, therapy, and advocacy near you.
Job Accommodation Network (JAN) (opens in a new tab)
Free, confidential advice on job accommodations for adults with dyslexia, by phone or email.
Learning Ally (opens in a new tab)
Human-read audiobooks for students with dyslexia. Families pay yearly; your school may already offer it.
National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) (opens in a new tab)
Free audiobooks by mail or app for children and adults with a reading disability like dyslexia.
California dyslexia questions
Does California screen for reading difficulties?
Annual public-school K-2 screening began in 2025-26, with written parent opt-out. From 2026-27, the required kindergarten screening cannot occur before the 91st school day.
SourceAre California dyslexia guidelines binding?
No. The Department of Education says schools do not have to follow them, except for the laws, rules, and court decisions they cite.
SourceCan a 504 plan help if my child is not eligible for an IEP?
Possibly: 504 eligibility differs from special education eligibility. Ask for a 504 assessment; eligible students can receive accommodations and services even without an IEP.
SourceDoes a dyslexia diagnosis guarantee special education?
No. A student with dyslexia gets special education only if they meet the rules for a learning disability. If not, the school teaches them in regular classes.
SourceHow long does a special education assessment take?
The district has 15 calendar days to send a plan, then 60 calendar days after your signed consent to test and hold the IEP meeting. School breaks of more than five school days do not count.
SourceHow do I get my child tested for dyslexia in California?
Ask your child's public school, in writing, for a free evaluation. The district must give you a proposed assessment plan within 15 calendar days. School breaks of more than five school days do not count. This guide also lists 1 place for private testing.
SourceWhere can I get free help with an IEP or 504 plan in California?
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund Parent Training and Information Center (510-644-2555) and Disability Rights California (800-776-5746) help families for free, by phone or in meetings with the school.
Are there schools for dyslexia in California?
Yes. This guide lists 8 schools built for students with dyslexia: The Prentice School (North Tustin), Bayhill School (Berkeley), Chartwell School (Seaside), and 5 more. Public districts with reading programs are listed too.
Can someone with dyslexia get free audiobooks in California?
Yes. California Braille and Talking Book Library lends free audiobooks to readers whose dyslexia makes print hard to read.
How well do students read in California?
In 2024, 29% of California 4th graders scored Proficient in reading on the NAEP test (U.S.: 30%). Proficient is a high bar: solid grade-level reading and more.
Neighboring states
Learn more
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Sources for this page (8)
- Dyslexia Guidelines - California Department of Education
- July 24, 2026 screening requirements update — AB 126 amended subsection (e), effective July 9, 2026. Annual screening covers K-2; opt-out must be written.
- leginfo.legislature.ca.gov — Subsection (l): individualized supports after an at-risk result; screening does not diagnose a disability. Subsection (e) was updated in 2026; see the current CDE letter.
- ctc.ca.gov — Literacy preparation standards operational July 1, 2024; not a mandate that every existing teacher complete a dyslexia course.
- leginfo.legislature.ca.gov — State adoption due January 31, 2027; local adoption must follow updated guidance or certify alignment for non-state-adopted materials.
- California Dyslexia Guidelines (updated 2019) — Chapter 1 quotes the IDA definition and California's specific learning disability regulation; guidance is not itself binding law.
- California parents' rights — District must fund an independent evaluation or request a hearing without unnecessary delay; public expense is not automatic if its assessment is defended successfully.
- California Education Code § 56043 — Section 56043(c),(f): IEP deadline is 60 calendar days, excluding days between regular terms or school vacations exceeding five school days; written extensions and statutory initial-assessment exceptions apply.
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Dyslexia resources in every state