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HB 952

ESA; authorize use of a diagnosis of dyslexia as a qualifier to determine eligibility for receipt of.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Larry Byrd

Mississippi HB 952 would allow dyslexia diagnoses to qualify students for Education Savings Accounts, enabling families to direct public education funds toward specialized services.

Referred To Education;Appropriations A
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Bill Summary · HB 952

Legislative bill overview

HB 952 proposes to authorize a dyslexia diagnosis as an eligibility qualifier for Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) in Mississippi. ESAs are education funding mechanisms that allow parents to direct public education dollars toward alternative educational services and products. This would expand the categories of students who can access these accounts beyond current eligibility criteria.

Why is this important

Dyslexia affects an estimated 15-20% of the population and often requires specialized instruction that traditional public schools may not provide. Enabling ESA access for dyslexic students could provide families with more options to pursue targeted interventions, tutoring, or specialized schools. However, this also represents a shift in how public education funds are allocated and may affect overall school funding and equity across districts.

Potential points of contention

  • Public school funding impact: Diverting education funds to individual ESAs could reduce resources available to traditional public schools, potentially affecting students who remain in those systems
  • Definition and diagnosis standards: Questions about what diagnostic criteria qualify, who determines eligibility, and whether private evaluations are accepted could create inconsistency or accessibility issues
  • Cost and fiscal sustainability: Unclear whether the bill appropriates new funding or reallocates existing resources, and whether ESA amounts will be sufficient for quality specialized dyslexia services

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

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