LAC 28:XXXV.110. Core Assessment Requirements

A. If the results of dyslexia screening pursuant to §109 of this Chapter indicate that a student is at risk for dyslexia, the parent or legal guardian shall be notified within thirty days of the results of the screening, and, if requested by the parent or legal guardian and subject to funding, a core assessment for the diagnosis of dyslexia shall be administered. 1. A parent or legal guardian may only make one request per academic year. 2. If the parent or legal guardian requests the LEA to conduct the core assessment, the LEA must complete the core assessment within 30 business days. B. The parent may select either the LEA or a vendor or professional approved by the LDOE to administer the core assessment. The administrator of the core assessment, in order to determine whether the student has dyslexia, shall determine through history, observation, and psychometric assessment if there are unexpected difficulties in reading and associated linguistic problems at the level of phonological processing that are unrelated to the student’s intelligence, age, and grade level. The core assessment shall not be based on a single test score or specific number of characteristics and shall include all of the following: 1. tests of language, particularly phonemic assessment, real words, and pseudo words, oral reading fluency, and intellectual ability; 2. an academic performance review; and 3. an interview with the student’s parent or legal guardian. C. Vendors and professionals who administer and interpret the core assessments must meet qualifications set forth by the assessment publisher and be trained in administering the assessment, and may include a licensed psychologist, certified school psychologist, licensed certified speech-language pathologist, certified educational diagnostician, clinical psychologists, neuropsychologists, and/or certified academic language therapist. Core assessment publishers determine professionals trained to interpret the assessments. D. The LDOE shall provide reimbursement for the cost of the assessment, subject to the availability of funding designated for this purpose and in alignment with applicable Louisiana statute and BESE policy. 1. Entities seeking reimbursement for the cost of core assessment must submit a request for reimbursement to the LDOE according to the procedures established for this purpose. 2. The amount of reimbursement provided shall not exceed $500 per eligible student request, per academic year.