Pennsylvania Dyslexia Resources
Schools must screen K-3 reading from 2027-28. Families can get free special education help now.
More about dyslexia help in Pennsylvania
Act 47 of 2025 requires K-3 reading screening and evidence-based instruction from 2027-28. Educators responsible for reading instruction must complete approved training by 2028-29.
Families can request a school evaluation now. Evaluation and the report are due within 60 calendar days after consent, excluding the break between spring and fall school terms.
Start here
The go-to contacts for families in Pennsylvania.
Free parent help
Parent Education and Advocacy Leadership (PEAL) Center
Free special education help for Pennsylvania families, in English, Spanish, and other languages.
FreeState dyslexia guidance
Pennsylvania Structured Literacy Guidance
Official answers about reading screening, intervention plans and educator training under Act 47.
FreeSpecial education office
Pennsylvania Department of Education Special Education
Official special education contacts, parent rights, and ConsultLine, a helpline for families.
Free
Help for your part of Pennsylvania
Erie County1 contact
Philadelphia County1 contact
More go-to contacts
Parent-led dyslexia group
Decoding Dyslexia Pennsylvania(opens in a new tab)
Department of education
Pennsylvania Department of Education(opens in a new tab)
Job help for adults
Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation(opens in a new tab)
How to get help in Pennsylvania
The steps and deadlines in Pennsylvania rules.
Write your request
Ask the school in writing for an evaluation and keep a copy.
- Time limit: 10 days
Review consent
Ask for the consent form. After an oral request, a school employee must provide it within 10 calendar days.
- Time limit: 60 days
Complete evaluation
Evaluation and report are due 60 calendar days after the agency receives consent, excluding the break between spring and fall terms.
- Time limit: 10 school days
Get the report
Receive the report at least 10 school days before the IEP meeting, unless you waive this in writing.
- Time limit: 10 school days
Check that services start
If eligible, help write the IEP. It must be implemented as soon as possible, no later than 10 school days after completion.
Ask for help
Use ConsultLine or PEAL if you disagree or need help understanding your special education options.
Pennsylvania dyslexia law
Each answer opens to what the law says and where.
Dyslexia screening
Starts 2027–28
What it says
From 2027-28, schools must screen every K-3 student's reading three times a year, with exceptions for some education plans.
Help after screening
Starts 2027–28
What it says
From 2027-28, K-3 students the screener flags must get a written reading intervention plan on top of regular instruction.
Teacher training
Yes
What it says
Now: teacher programs must teach structured literacy. Staff who teach reading must finish approved training by 2028-29.
22 Pa. Code § 49.14(4)(i); Public School Code § 1503-N; Acts 55/47 (2025)
Dyslexia defined in law
Yes
What it says
The School Code defines dyslexia through word-recognition, spelling and decoding difficulties, often unexpected for other abilities.
State dyslexia handbook
Partly
What it says
Pennsylvania publishes structured-literacy guidance; this review did not confirm a current standalone dyslexia handbook.
State dyslexia specialist
Not sure
What it says
A Reading Leadership Council advises the state; this review did not confirm a separately designated dyslexia specialist.
Science of reading law
Starts 2027–28
What it says
By 2027-28, schools must adopt a K-3 reading curriculum based on reading science; the law's definition excludes three-cueing.
Public School Code §§ 1501-N, 1503-N; Acts 135 (2024), 47 (2025) (2025)
- Compare dyslexia laws in every state
Dyslexia testing, tutoring and support in Pennsylvania
Pick what you need.
Get tested
School testing is free. Clinics add detail.
Penn State Psychological Clinic (opens in a new tab)
Psychological and neuropsychological assessment that includes learning disabilities such as dyslexia.
Tutoring and programs
Explicit, structured reading help.
Carlow University Peirce Dyslexia Center (opens in a new tab)
Scholarships and structured-literacy tutoring support through Carlow University.
Children's Dyslexia Center — Central Pennsylvania (opens in a new tab)
Free dyslexia tutoring for children in the Harrisburg area through an application process.
Children's Dyslexia Center — Lancaster (opens in a new tab)
Free dyslexia tutoring for children in the Millersville area.
Children's Dyslexia Center — Lehigh Valley (opens in a new tab)
Free dyslexia tutoring for children in the Allentown area.
Children's Dyslexia Center — Pittsburgh (opens in a new tab)
Free dyslexia tutoring for children in the Pittsburgh area.
Children's Dyslexia Center — Reading (opens in a new tab)
Free dyslexia tutoring for children in the Reading area through an application process.
Children's Dyslexia Center — Western Pennsylvania (opens in a new tab)
Free dyslexia tutoring for children in the New Castle area.
Dyslexia Reading Center of Central Pennsylvania (opens in a new tab)
Orton-Gillingham tutoring for children and adults near State College.
Learning Disabilities Association of Pennsylvania Reading Program (opens in a new tab)
Serves Allegheny, Crawford, and Erie counties
Free structured-literacy tutoring for students from low-income families.
Robert Morris University Peirce Center (opens in a new tab)
Structured-reading tutoring after school and in summer at Robert Morris University.
Parent groups
Families who have been there.
Pennsylvania Literacy Coalition (opens in a new tab)
Statewide group working for proven reading instruction in schools; parents can join.
For adults
It is never too late to get help.
Literacy Pittsburgh (opens in a new tab)
Serves Allegheny and Beaver counties
Free adult reading, writing and family-literacy help in Allegheny and Beaver counties.
For teachers
Orton-Gillingham and structured literacy training.
Robert Morris University Reading Specialist Program (opens in a new tab)
Graduate reading-specialist training with a dyslexia interventionist credential option.
The Reading League Pennsylvania (opens in a new tab)
Events and resources that help Pennsylvania teachers use proven reading instruction.
Schools for dyslexia in Pennsylvania
Each one has a documented reading program. Ask to see it.
5 of 5 shown
- Dyslexia school
Delaware Valley Friends School(opens in a new tab)
Paoli · Chester County · Grades 1-12
Private school with Orton-Gillingham literacy instruction for students with learning differences.
IDA-accredited school-based programIMSLEC-recognized center - Dyslexia school
Woodlynde School(opens in a new tab)
Strafford · Chester County · Grades K-12
K-12 school in Strafford for students with dyslexia and other learning differences, with Wilson reading.
Financial aidWilson Accredited Partner - Dyslexia school
Benchmark School(opens in a new tab)
Media · Delaware County · Grades 1-8
Grades 1-8 in Media for students with dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning differences.
Financial aid - Dyslexia school
AIM Academy (Academy in Manayunk)(opens in a new tab)
Conshohocken · Montgomery County · Grades 1-12
Private school for students with dyslexia and language-based learning differences.
Financial aid - Public districtExtra reading help
Canon-McMillan School District(opens in a new tab)
Washington County
Fundations and Heggerty phonics in kindergarten to grade 2; Wilson Reading System for extra help.
Dyslexia help by county in Pennsylvania
Local schools, groups, and services in each guide.
How Pennsylvania 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.
Pennsylvania dyslexia questions
Does Pennsylvania have a dyslexia law?
Act 47 of 2025 requires K-3 reading screening and evidence-based curriculum from 2027-28, following earlier structured-literacy and dyslexia-pilot laws. Screening is not a special education evaluation.
SourceHow long can a special education evaluation take?
Evaluation and the report are due within 60 calendar days after the agency receives written consent. Days between spring and fall terms do not count; federal exceptions can also apply.
SourceWhere can I get free parent help?
The PEAL Center offers no-cost individual assistance, trainings, and resources statewide, including English, Spanish, and other languages as needed.
SourceHow do I request a 504 service agreement?
Write to the district asking for an evaluation and the aids or accommodations your child needs. It must send a written answer within 25 school days.
SourceWhere can I resolve a special education disagreement?
The Office for Dispute Resolution explains mediation, facilitation and due process. Ask PEAL or ConsultLine to help you understand your options before choosing a next step.
SourceWhat if I disagree with the school evaluation?
You can ask for an independent evaluation at public expense. Without unnecessary delay, the school must pay for it or ask for a hearing to defend its own evaluation.
SourceDoes Pennsylvania require dyslexia screening?
Not yet: a Pennsylvania law requires it, and it starts in 2027–28. From 2027-28, schools must screen every K-3 student's reading three times a year, with exceptions for some education plans.
SourceAre there schools for dyslexia in Pennsylvania?
Yes. This guide lists 4 schools built for students with dyslexia: AIM Academy (Academy in Manayunk) (Conshohocken), Benchmark School (Media), Delaware Valley Friends School (Paoli), and 1 more. Public districts with reading programs are listed too.
Can someone with dyslexia get free audiobooks in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians lends free audiobooks to readers whose dyslexia makes print hard to read.
How well do students read in Pennsylvania?
In 2024, 33% of Pennsylvania 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)
- Structured Literacy
- PEAL families
- pacodeandbulletin.gov
- pa.gov
- Public School Code § 102, current definitions — Definition added June 19, 2018 by Act 37; no longer limited to the original pilot definition.
- Public School Code Article XV-N, current text
- pacodeandbulletin.gov
- pa.gov
We list official, nonprofit, university, and well-known services, checked by people. No paid listings. Not legal or medical advice; confirm details with each organization.
Dyslexia resources in every state