The purpose of the Dyslexia Handbook is to provide information and guidance for educational professionals, school leaders, families, caregivers, and students themselves on the subject of dyslexia. The handbook includes: (1) guidelines for educators and parents or caregivers on how to identify signs of dyslexia;(2) a description of educational strategies that have been shown to improve the academic performance of students with dyslexia; and (3) information about resources and services available to students with dyslexia and parents or caregivers of these individuals.

The widespread sentiment is that there must be an appropriate understanding of what dyslexia is and how it manifests, along with the types of interventions and supports that can be provided to students exhibiting characteristics indicative of dyslexia. The following changes seek to fulfill that purpose and serve as the updated version of the ISBE Dyslexia Handbook (2025).

• The addition of Chapter 7 which focuses on practical methods of implementing instructional practices related to supporting students with dyslexia and guidelines for educators to analyze student data to inform intervention instruction;
• Connections to the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan;
• Additional information regarding bidialectal and multilingual students with dyslexia;
• An expanded section addressing social and emotional considerations for students with dyslexia;
• Explicit connections between writing and dyslexia;
• Additional content for Caregivers.

By educating and empowering all stakeholders with information and resources, the overall intent is to explain dyslexia, strengthen service provision, and increase the likelihood of positive outcomes.