Minnesota Dyslexia Resources
Get reading screening and free parent help. School evaluations are due within 30 school days after consent.
More about dyslexia help in Minnesota
Minnesota's READ Act requires universal literacy and dyslexia screening in kindergarten through grade 3, plus screening in grades 4-12 for students not reading at grade level.
Families can ask the school for screening, evidence-based intervention, or a special education evaluation. PACER and Decoding Dyslexia Minnesota offer parent help.
Start here
The go-to contacts for families in Minnesota.
Free parent help
Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER) Center
Free parent advice, workshops, and special education resources statewide.
FreeEspañolSoomaaliState dyslexia guidance
Minnesota Department of Education Dyslexia Team
Official dyslexia screening, intervention, and school guidance.
FreeSpecial education office
Minnesota Department of Education Special Education
Official special education guidance, rights, and contacts for resolving school disagreements.
Free
More go-to contacts
Parent-led dyslexia group
Decoding Dyslexia Minnesota(opens in a new tab)
Dyslexia association
International Dyslexia Association - Upper Midwest(opens in a new tab)
How to get help in Minnesota
The steps and deadlines in Minnesota rules.
Ask for screening and support
Ask for screening results, targeted reading instruction, and progress reports. Reading help at school cannot be used to deny a special education evaluation.
Request testing in writing
Ask the district to evaluate your child for a suspected disability. If it refuses, it must tell you in writing within 14 calendar days.
- Time limit: 30 school days
Give permission for testing
After permission, the evaluation team must complete the evaluation within 30 school days, unless an exception applies.
Review eligibility and the plan
Review results with the team. A student who qualifies and needs special education receives an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Ask about a 504 plan
A student may qualify for a 504 plan when disability substantially limits reading or another major life activity, even without special education.
Get help with disagreements
Ask about free mediation, a facilitated team meeting, a state complaint, or a due process hearing. PACER can explain your options.
Minnesota dyslexia law
Each answer opens to what the law says and where.
Dyslexia screening
Yes
What it says
K-3 screening is required three times yearly; grades 4-12 students below grade level are screened at least annually.
Minn. Stat. 120B.12, subds. 2, 2a; 2026 c. 125, art. 1, secs. 4-5 (2023)
Help after screening
Yes
What it says
Targeted reading intervention continues until grade-level proficiency; only evidence-based literacy interventions may be used from 2026-27.
Teacher training
Yes
What it says
Now: K-3, intervention, special education, and English learner teachers must be trained. Grades 4-12 reading teachers: by July 1, 2027.
Minn. Stat. 120B.123, subd. 5; 2026 c. 125, art. 1, sec. 8 (2023)
Dyslexia defined in law
Yes
What it says
Minnesota defines dyslexia as a neurological specific learning disability involving word recognition, spelling, and decoding difficulties.
Minn. Stat. 125A.01, subd. 2 (2015)
State dyslexia handbook
Yes
What it says
The education department publishes official dyslexia, screening, and family guidance; these are guidance pages, not a single handbook.
State dyslexia specialist
Yes
What it says
The education department must employ a dyslexia specialist to support schools; the law does not require one in every school.
Science of reading law
Yes
What it says
The READ Act requires evidence-based instruction in foundational skills, oral language, vocabulary, and comprehension by 2026-27.
- Compare dyslexia laws in every state
Dyslexia testing, tutoring and support in Minnesota
Pick what you need.
Official help
What your state says schools must do.
Goodhue County Education District Reading Center (opens in a new tab)
Serves Goodhue County
Free parent appointments about reading and dyslexia, in Red Wing or by virtual meeting.
Get tested
School testing is free. Clinics add detail.
Learning Disabilities Association of Minnesota Assessments (opens in a new tab)
Diagnostic learning assessments for dyslexia and related learning needs, for children and adults.
Minnesota State University, Mankato Assessment Clinic (opens in a new tab)
In-person reading and language assessment for all ages; sliding fees and scholarships available.
Tutoring and programs
Explicit, structured reading help.
The Reading Center / Dyslexia Institute of Minnesota (opens in a new tab)
Educational reading assessments, Orton-Gillingham tutoring, and financial help in person or online.
Groves Learning Center (opens in a new tab)
Reading assessment, one-to-one tutoring, and summer programs in St. Louis Park and online.
Hennepin County Library Reading Support (opens in a new tab)
Serves Hennepin County
Free weekly reading practice for K-5 students below grade level at participating libraries.
Learning Disabilities Association of Minnesota Tutoring (opens in a new tab)
One-to-one tutoring for students and adults with dyslexia; in-person or virtual options.
Northern Minnesota Dyslexia Solutions (opens in a new tab)
Barton reading and spelling tutoring for children, teens, and adults with dyslexia, at a Bemidji church.
Reading Therapy Center Minnesota (opens in a new tab)
One-to-one reading therapy for children and adults with dyslexia, in Willmar and Moorhead.
The Reading Center Partnership Tutoring (opens in a new tab)
Free tutoring at partner schools and programs, and for Rochester children and adults who cannot pay.
Audiobooks and tech
Keep learning while reading catches up.
Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights Simon Technology Center Lending Library (opens in a new tab)
Borrow assistive devices and learning software; membership is free for Minnesota families.
Parent groups
Families who have been there.
Minnesota Literacy Coalition (opens in a new tab)
Free dyslexia guide for families and a network supporting evidence-based school reading instruction.
Learn about dyslexia
Plain guides from trusted experts.
University of Minnesota Dyslexia Initiative (opens in a new tab)
Short research briefs on dyslexia for families and teachers, from University of Minnesota researchers.
For adults
It is never too late to get help.
Duluth Adult Education (opens in a new tab)
Free adult reading, writing, English, and high school completion classes in Duluth and online.
Minnesota Adult Basic Education (opens in a new tab)
Adult education and literacy classes, including local program referrals.
For teachers
Orton-Gillingham and structured literacy training.
Minnesota Regional Literacy Network (opens in a new tab)
Regional training and coaching help districts improve evidence-based reading instruction.
South Central Service Cooperative literacy team (opens in a new tab)
Regional structured literacy training and coaching for southern Minnesota districts.
The Reading Center Orton-Gillingham Training (opens in a new tab)
Orton-Gillingham training with practicum for teachers, tutors, and families.
Schools for dyslexia in Minnesota
Each one has a documented reading program. Ask to see it.
6 of 6 shown
- Dyslexia school
Groves Academy(opens in a new tab)
St. Louis Park · Hennepin County · Grades 1-12
Specialized school for students with dyslexia and other learning differences.
Financial aid - Public districtExtra reading help
United South Central Public School District(opens in a new tab)
Wells · Faribault County
UFLI phonics lessons in K-2 classrooms and extra Orton-Gillingham reading help in K-6.
- Public districtExtra reading help
Grand Rapids Public Schools Independent School District 318(opens in a new tab)
Grand Rapids · Itasca County
UFLI phonics lessons in K-2 classrooms and Orton-Gillingham small-group reading help in K-3.
- Public districtExtra reading help
Isle Public School District(opens in a new tab)
Isle · Mille Lacs County
Reading screening in K-3 and small-group REWARDS reading help in grades 4-8.
Screens for dyslexia - Public districtExtra reading help
New Prague Area Schools(opens in a new tab)
New Prague · Scott County
Small-group Fundations help in K-3, Sonday reading lessons, and reading screening in K-8.
Screens for dyslexia - Public district
St. Cloud Area School District 742(opens in a new tab)
Waite Park · Stearns County
District dyslexia page with screening FAQs, home reading tips, and who to contact with concerns.
Dyslexia contact
Dyslexia help by county in Minnesota
Local schools, groups, and services in each guide.
How Minnesota 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.
Minnesota dyslexia questions
Does Minnesota require dyslexia screening?
Yes: three times yearly in K-3 and at least annually for grades 4-12 students below grade level. A limited grades 4+ opt-out does not stop intervention or progress monitoring.
SourceDoes a dyslexia diagnosis guarantee special education?
No. A diagnosis alone does not make a student eligible; the school team must evaluate your child against state and federal criteria.
SourceHow long does a Minnesota special education evaluation take?
The evaluation must be completed within 30 school days after the district receives parental permission, unless an exception applies.
SourceWhere can a family get free school advocacy?
PACER Center provides free parent advice, trainings, and resources statewide. Decoding Dyslexia Minnesota also offers free Partners for Parents guidance.
SourceCan I ask for an independent evaluation?
If you disagree with the district's evaluation, you can ask for an independent evaluation paid for by the district. The district must pay for it or ask for a hearing without unnecessary delay.
SourceCan adults use Minnesota reading resources?
Literacy Minnesota helps adults find free classes statewide, and The Reading Center offers dyslexia tutoring. These classes do not test for dyslexia.
SourceCan someone with dyslexia get free audiobooks in Minnesota?
Yes. Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library (800-722-0550) lends free audiobooks to readers whose dyslexia makes print hard to read.
How well do students read in Minnesota?
In 2024, 31% of Minnesota 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 (14)
- Minnesota reading law
- Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.01
- 2026 Minnesota Laws chapter 125, article 1, section 8 — July 2026: pre-K/K-3, intervention, special education reading staff and specified support roles. July 2027: grades 4-12 foundational reading, alternative and immersion teachers. Extensions permitted; specified teacher-preparation entrants from June 1, 2026 are exempt.
- Dyslexia - Minnesota Department of Education
- Minnesota Rule 3525.2550
- sites.ed.gov
- revisor.mn.gov
- npaschools.org
- revisor.mn.gov
- Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.122
- Minnesota Rule 3525.3600
- Minnesota Rule 3525.2710
- Minnesota Section 504 guidance
- Conflicts in Special Education
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Dyslexia resources in every state