​​​​​​The definition of dyslexia adopted by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) states: “Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.”

Dyslexia Updates

As of May 2019, Governor Kemp signed Senate Bill 48 into law.  SB48 provides for identification of and support for students in kindergarten through third grade with dyslexia.

• Executive Summary of the Georgia Dyslexia Pilot Program Implementation Analysis 2019-2020
• GaDOE Dyslexia Activities: February, 2021

GaDOE Dyslexia Workshop [Video]

Watch a video of Dr. Caitlin Dooley talking about dyslexia during a workshop conducted at Augusta University on December 9, 2019.​

GaPSC Approved Dyslexia Endorsement Programs (Updated on 3/31/2021)

• Central Savannah River Area RESA
• Georgia College and State University
• Georgia State University
• Griffin RESA
• Metro RESA
• Middle Georgia RESA
• North Georgia RESA
• Northwest Georgia RESA
• Shorter University
• Thomas University
• University of Georgia
• University of West Georgia
• West Georgia RESA

Please contact the program provider or refer to GAPSC Approved Dyslexia Endorsement Programs for updates and further information. For information about the Dyslexia Endorsement, contact the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

Georgia's Dyslexia Pilot Program

Per Senate Bill 48, beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, the State School Superintendent shall establish a three-year pilot program to demonstrate and evaluate the effectiveness of early reading assistance programs for students with risk factors for dyslexia.

The Dyslexia Pilot Program consists of the following districts:

​​     1.  Charlton County School District
     2.  City Schools of Decatur
     3.  DeKalb County School District
     4.  Jackson County School District
     5.  Marietta City Schools
     6.  Muscogee County School District
     7.   ​Ware County School District

Resources to Support Georgia's Dyslexia Pilot Program can be found below:

• Southern Region Education Board: Resources to Support the Georgia Dyslexia Pilot Districts
• Region 6 Comprehensive Center at SERVE: Dyslexia Resources Dyslexia Resources​
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Educator Resources

• Cox Campus’s free interactive courses and tools are designed to equip any adult interacting with children—from birth through age nine—in ways that support language and literacy development.
• Key GaDOE Resources for Dyslexia and MTSS
• The International Dyslexia Association
• The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity
• OSEP Dyslexia Guidance Letter
• National Center on Improving Literacy - Schools and Districts

Parent Information Resources

The following websites offer parent friendly resources concerning dyslexia.

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
• Decoding Dyslexia Georgia
• EduMed
• Get Georgia Reading
• International Dyslexia Association Georgia
• Kids Health Factsheet
• Literacy for Learning, Living and Leading in Georgia (L4GA)
• Understood
• Parent to Parent of Georgia
• National Center on Improving Literacy - Parents and Families

Dyslexia Presentations

The link to access archived dyslexia professional learning sessions can be found here.

• Foundational Reading Skill Development and Dyslexia: Serving All Students (Brief)
• Foundational Reading Skill Development and Dyslexia: Serving All Students (Extended)