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HB 1164

Dyslexia screenings; reimburse parents and school districts for comprehensive psycho-educational evaluations.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Larry Byrd

HB 1164 would mandate state reimbursement for dyslexia psycho-educational evaluations to increase screening access for Mississippi students regardless of family income level.

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Bill Summary · HB 1164

Legislative bill overview

HB 1164 would require Mississippi to reimburse parents and school districts for the costs of comprehensive psycho-educational evaluations used to identify dyslexia in students. The bill aims to address barriers to dyslexia screening by removing the financial burden that currently falls on families seeking private evaluations when school districts delay or decline testing.

Why is this important

Dyslexia affects approximately 15-20% of the population but often goes undiagnosed, particularly in lower-income families who cannot afford private evaluations. Early identification enables students to receive appropriate interventions and accommodations, significantly improving educational outcomes. This bill directly addresses equity in special education access by making comprehensive evaluations financially accessible regardless of family income.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact and appropriations: The bill requires state funding for reimbursements without specifying a budget cap, raising concerns about unfunded mandates and total costs to the state education budget during a period of limited resources.
  • Evaluation standards and qualification requirements: The bill doesn't define what constitutes a "qualified evaluator" or establish uniform standards, potentially creating inconsistencies in evaluation quality and disputes over reimbursement eligibility.
  • Burden on school districts: Districts may face administrative complexity in processing reimbursement claims, and some argue schools should directly provide evaluations rather than reimburse private ones, questioning whether this approach is the most efficient use of education funds.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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