2015 Arkansas Code
Title 6 - Education
Subtitle 3 - Special Educational Programs
Chapter 41 - Children with Disabilities
Subchapter 6 - Dyslexia and Related Disorders
§ 6-41-603 - Required screening and intervention.

(a) (1) A school district shall screen each student in kindergarten through grade two (K-2) and others required by the Department of Education rule using the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) or an equivalent screener.

(2) The screening of students shall be performed with fidelity and include without limitation:

(A) Phonological and phonemic awareness;

(B) Sound symbol recognition;

(C) Alphabet knowledge;

(D) Decoding skills;

(E) Rapid naming skills; and

(F) Encoding skills.

(3) (A) If the screener under subdivision (a)(1) of this section shows that a student is at risk, or at some risk, then a level I dyslexia screener shall be administered.

(B) The level I dyslexia screening of a student shall be performed with fidelity and include the components listed under subdivision (a)(2) of this section.

(b) The Department of Education shall adopt rules to ensure that students will be screened using DIBELS or an equivalent screener:

(1) In kindergarten through grade two (K-2);

(2) When a student in kindergarten through grade two (K-2) transfers to a new school and has not been screened;

(3) When a student in grade three (3) or higher has difficulty, as noted by a classroom teacher, in:

(A) Phonological and phonemic awareness;

(B) Sound-symbol recognition;

(C) Alphabet knowledge;

(D) Decoding skills;

(E) Rapid naming skills; and

(F) Encoding skills; and

(4) When a student from another state enrolls for the first time in Arkansas in kindergarten through grade two (K-2) unless the student presents documentation that the student:

(A) Had the screening or a similar screening; or

(B) Is exempt from screening.

(c) (1) If the initial, level I, or level II dyslexia screening indicates that a student has characteristics of dyslexia, the Response to Intervention (RTI) process shall be used to address the needs of the student.

(2) (A) If the level II dyslexia screening conducted by the school district indicates that a student exhibits characteristics of dyslexia, the student shall be provided intervention services.

(B) If it is determined that the student has functional difficulties in the academic environment due to characteristics of dyslexia, the necessary accommodations or equipment for the student shall be provided under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12131-12165, as they existed on February 1, 2013, if qualified under the applicable federal law.