Tennessee Dyslexia Resources
Ask for dyslexia screening and intervention. Get free parent help; evaluation is due 60 days after consent.
More about dyslexia help in Tennessee
Public schools screen for characteristics of dyslexia and provide targeted reading intervention. Screening, a dyslexia intervention plan, a 504 plan and an IEP are different steps.
You can request a school evaluation without waiting for intervention to finish. TNSTEP offers free family support in English and Spanish; university clinics offer additional testing options.
Start here
The go-to contacts for families in Tennessee.
Free parent help
Tennessee Support and Training for Exceptional Parents
Free special education information, training, and family support statewide.
FreeEspañolState dyslexia guidance
Tennessee Department of Education Dyslexia Guidance
Official dyslexia screening, intervention-plan and 504 guidance, with family resources.
FreeSpecial education office
Tennessee Department of Education Special Education
State special education information and parent rights resources.
Free
More go-to contacts
Parent-led dyslexia group
Decoding Dyslexia Tennessee(opens in a new tab)
Department of education
Tennessee Department of Education(opens in a new tab)
Adult reading help
Tennessee Adult Education(opens in a new tab)
How to get help in Tennessee
The steps and deadlines in Tennessee rules.
Ask for screening and support
Put reading concerns in writing. Ask for dyslexia screening, results and targeted intervention; request evaluation now if needed.
Give evaluation consent
Request a school special education evaluation in writing. Ask for written reasons if refused; testing needs informed parent consent.
- Time limit: 60 days
Track the 60-day deadline
The initial evaluation and eligibility decision are due within 60 calendar days after the district receives parent consent.
- Time limit: 30 days
Develop an IEP if eligible
If eligible for special education, develop the IEP within 30 additional calendar days; initial services need parent consent.
Ask about classroom access
Discuss a 504 plan when disability limits learning or reading. Screening or a dyslexia intervention plan does not grant 504 or IEP eligibility.
Get help if you disagree
Call TNSTEP. If you disagree with the school's evaluation, ask about an independent evaluation; mediation and complaints are other options.
Tennessee dyslexia law
Each answer opens to what the law says and where.
Dyslexia screening
Yes
What it says
Districts screen for dyslexia characteristics; all K-3 students receive universal reading screening three times yearly.
T.C.A. §§ 49-1-229, 49-1-905; Public Chapter 330 (2025) (2016)
Help after screening
Yes
What it says
Students with dyslexia characteristics receive tiered dyslexia-specific intervention, parent notice and progress monitoring.
T.C.A. § 49-1-229(c) (2016)
Teacher training
Yes
What it says
K-5 teachers had a literacy-training deadline in August 2023; a law effective July 2026 adds a dyslexia-interventionist endorsement.
Tennessee Literacy Success Act (2021); Public Chapter 902 (2026) (2021)
Dyslexia defined in law
Yes
What it says
Tennessee's special education definition of specific learning disability includes dyslexia.
State dyslexia handbook
Yes
What it says
The state links its September 2024 Dyslexia Resource Guide and 2026-27 screening decision tools.
State dyslexia specialist
Partly
What it says
A state dyslexia advisory council and help email are documented; a dedicated statewide specialist post was not confirmed.
T.C.A. § 49-1-229(e) (2016)
Science of reading law
Yes
What it says
The 2021 Literacy Success Act requires foundational literacy, including phonics, as the basis of K-3 reading instruction.
- Compare dyslexia laws in every state
Dyslexia testing, tutoring and support in Tennessee
Pick what you need.
Help with IEPs and 504 plans
Free experts who know the rules.
Tennessee Disability Pathfinder (opens in a new tab)
Free disability-service referrals statewide, with Spanish support and interpreters.
Get tested
School testing is free. Clinics add detail.
Chattanooga Dyslexia Center at the Speech Language Reading Center (opens in a new tab)
Dyslexia testing and individualized treatment by a psychologist and speech-language team in Hixson.
Korn Learning, Assessment, and Social Skills Center (opens in a new tab)
Dyslexia evaluations in Knoxville, with income-based fees and payment plans.
Tennessee Center for the Study and Treatment of Dyslexia (opens in a new tab)
Low-cost dyslexia evaluations for eligible Tennessee K-12 students; limited phone-only appointments.
University of Memphis Psychological Services Center (opens in a new tab)
Dyslexia and learning evaluations, with reduced fees for financial hardship.
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Learning Assessment Clinic (opens in a new tab)
Learning and dyslexia assessments in Nashville for students through age 25; private pay.
Tutoring and programs
Explicit, structured reading help.
Tennessee Dyslexia Centers (opens in a new tab)
Orton-Gillingham dyslexia therapy, screening, and tutoring for K-8 students.
Audiobooks and tech
Keep learning while reading catches up.
Assistive Technology Project for Education (opens in a new tab)
School teams can borrow reading and writing technology; districts pay return shipping.
STAR Center Assistive Technology (opens in a new tab)
Free assistive-device demonstrations and reuse services; other technology services have varying fees.
For adults
It is never too late to get help.
Literacy Council of Kingsport (opens in a new tab)
Serves Kingsport
Free one-to-one adult reading tutoring in Greater Kingsport; not dyslexia diagnosis.
Literacy Mid-South Adult Learning Program (opens in a new tab)
Serves Memphis
Adult reading and writing groups: one-time $10 intake fee, then free tutoring.
Nashville Adult Literacy Council (opens in a new tab)
Serves Nashville
Free one-to-one adult reading and writing tutoring, in Nashville public places or remotely.
Tennessee Tech Accessible Education Center (opens in a new tab)
College accommodations and assistive technology for eligible Tennessee Tech students.
For teachers
Orton-Gillingham and structured literacy training.
Lipscomb University Dyslexia Therapy (opens in a new tab)
Hybrid graduate dyslexia-therapy training with supervised Take Flight practice.
Schools for dyslexia in Tennessee
Each one has a documented reading program. Ask to see it.
11 of 11 shown
- Dyslexia school
Roberts Academy at Vanderbilt University(opens in a new tab)
Nashville · Davidson County · Grades 1-5
Transitional school for grades 1-5 students with dyslexia using Orton-Gillingham principles.
Financial aid - Dyslexia school
Berean Christian School Specialized Dyslexia Program(opens in a new tab)
Knoxville · Knox County · Grades 1-12
Orton-Gillingham in grades 1-5; accommodations and learning-center support in grades 6-12.
- Dyslexia school
Bodine School(opens in a new tab)
Germantown · Shelby County · Grades 1-5
Specialized grades 1-5 school for students with dyslexia using Orton-Gillingham.
Financial aid - Dyslexia school
Currey Ingram Academy(opens in a new tab)
Brentwood · Williamson County · Grades JK-12
School for learning differences using Orton-Gillingham approaches, with need-based tuition aid.
BoardingFinancial aid - Public districtExtra reading help
Benton County Schools(opens in a new tab)
Benton County
S.P.I.R.E. reading help for students with signs of dyslexia; reading screening in kindergarten to grade 5.
Screens for dyslexia - PublicExtra reading help
Norman Binkley Elementary School(opens in a new tab)
Nashville · Davidson County · Grades Elementary
Lexia Core5 reading intervention for students who need extra or intensive support.
- Public districtExtra reading help
Scott County Schools(opens in a new tab)
Scott County
Sonday reading help for students with signs of dyslexia; reading screening in kindergarten to grade 5.
Screens for dyslexia - Public district
Bradley County Schools(opens in a new tab)
Bradley County
Reading screening for all students, and extra help for students with signs of dyslexia.
Screens for dyslexia - Public district
Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools(opens in a new tab)
Davidson County
Dyslexia screening and family guidance on individual reading-support plans.
Screens for dyslexia - Public district
Hamilton County Schools(opens in a new tab)
Hamilton County
Dyslexia screening, tiered intervention and family progress updates.
Screens for dyslexia - Public district
Memphis-Shelby County Schools(opens in a new tab)
Shelby County
Reading and dyslexia screening in kindergarten to grade 5, with follow-up testing.
Screens for dyslexia
Dyslexia help by county in Tennessee
Local schools, groups, and services in each guide.
How Tennessee 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.
Tennessee dyslexia questions
Does screening diagnose dyslexia?
No. Screening identifies instructional needs. A dyslexia intervention plan, a 504 plan and an IEP have separate criteria; none follows automatically from screening.
SourceCan the school require intervention before evaluating?
Reading intervention may continue during evaluation. It cannot be used to delay or deny a full evaluation when disability is suspected.
SourceWhat reading results should come with report cards?
Starting in 2025-26, K-8 report cards include recent universal reading screener scores if administered that year, and recent dyslexia screening results if applicable.
SourceWhere can I find affordable testing?
Middle Tennessee State University offers limited low-cost K-12 evaluations with eligibility rules and phone-only intake. Knoxville and Memphis university clinics publish reduced-fee options; ask about availability and total costs.
SourceWhere can I get free family help?
TNSTEP offers free family support and training, including Spanish assistance. It helps parents advocate for themselves rather than supplying an advocate to speak for them.
SourceAre there schools for dyslexia in Tennessee?
Yes. This guide lists 4 schools built for students with dyslexia: Berean Christian School Specialized Dyslexia Program (Knoxville), Bodine School (Germantown), Currey Ingram Academy (Brentwood), and 1 more. Public districts with reading programs are listed too.
Can someone with dyslexia get free audiobooks in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee Library for Accessible Books and Media (800-342-3308) lends free audiobooks to readers whose dyslexia makes print hard to read.
How well do students read in Tennessee?
In 2024, 32% of Tennessee 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
- Alabama dyslexia resources27 places to get help
- Arkansas dyslexia resources19 places to get help
- Georgia dyslexia resources24 places to get help
- Kentucky dyslexia resources26 places to get help
- Mississippi dyslexia resources22 places to get help
- Missouri dyslexia resources27 places to get help
- North Carolina dyslexia resources25 places to get help
- Virginia dyslexia resources25 places to get help
Learn more
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Sources for this page (15)
- tn.gov — Live official resource index links September 2024 guide, family ILP-D and 504 guidance and 2026-27 crosswalks.
- Dyslexia Resource Guide, September 2024
- tn.gov — Deadline follows eligibility; initial services require written consent.
- wapp.capitol.tn.gov — 2026 endorsement act signed May 5, effective July 1.
- cehhs.utk.edu — Knoxville reduced-fee options in affordable-testing FAQ.
- memphis.edu — Memphis reduced-fee options in affordable-testing FAQ.
- tn.gov — Council and public help email are confirmed; these do not establish a staffed specialist/coordinator mandate.
- tn.gov
- publications.tnsosfiles.com — Signed May 2, 2025. K-8 report cards must carry recent universal reading scores if administered that year and latest dyslexia results if applicable.
- tn.gov — Reading intervention cannot delay or deny an evaluation for suspected disability.
- tn.gov — Act signed February 3, 2021; department FAQ explains phonics-grounded instruction. Not a claim that every reading program is Orton-Gillingham.
- publications.tnsosfiles.com — Signed May 5, 2026. State Board must establish qualified dyslexia interventionist endorsement; requires CERI credential and Board requirements. Otherwise authorized educators may still intervene without it.
- tn.gov
- tn.gov — Independent evaluation at public expense subject to criteria; district must fund or request due process without unnecessary delay. Mediation, administrative complaints and due process have separate rules.
- tn.gov — Official table cites Rule .05(1)(f); begins at district receipt of consent. Request written explanation of any exception or extension.
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