1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education; modifying duties of dyslexia specialist;amending Minnesota 
1.3 	Statutes 2018, section 120B.122, subdivision 1.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 120B.122, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.6 		Subdivision 1.Purpose Duties. (a) The department must employ a dyslexia specialist 
1.7 	to provide technical assistance for dyslexia and related disorders and to serve as the primary 
1.8 	source of information and support for schools in addressing the needs of students with 
1.9 	dyslexia and related disorders.
1.10 	(b) The dyslexia specialist shall also act to must increase professional awareness and 
1.11 	instructional competencies to meet the educational needs of students with dyslexia or 
1.12 	identified with risk characteristics associated with dyslexia and shall must develop 
1.13 	implementation guidance and make recommendations to the commissioner consistent with 
1.14 	section 122A.06, subdivision 4, to be used to assist general education teachers and special 
1.15 	education teachers to recognize educational needs and to improve literacy outcomes for 
1.16 	students with dyslexia or identified with risk characteristics associated with dyslexia, 
1.17 	including recommendations related to increasing the availability of online and asynchronous 
1.18 	professional development programs and materials.
1.19 	(c) The dyslexia specialist must provide guidance to school districts and charter schools 
1.20 	on how to:
1.21 	(1) access tools to screen and identify students showing characteristics associated with 
1.22 	dyslexia in accordance with section 120B.12, subdivision 2, paragraph (a);
2.1 	(2) implement screening for characteristics associated with dyslexia in accordance with 
2.2 	section 120B.12, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), and in coordination with other early childhood 
2.3 	screenings; and
2.4 	(3) participate in professional development opportunities pertaining to intervention 
2.5 	strategies and accommodations for students with dyslexia or characteristics associated with 
2.6 	dyslexia.
2.7 	(d) The dyslexia specialist must provide guidance to the Professional Educator Licensing 
2.8 	and Standards Board on developing licensing renewal requirements under section 122A.187, 
2.9 	subdivision 5, on understanding dyslexia, recognizing dyslexia characteristics in students, 
2.10 	and using evidence-based dyslexia best practices.