When You Need Help with Your Public School

If your child is struggling with reading, spelling, or other literacy skills, you might have wondered whether their public school is providing the right support.

This video offers practical guidance for families who feel stuck, misunderstood, or unsure how to get the right help for their child.

This resource breaks down key steps and reminders for advocating within the school system so your child gets the support they need to succeed.

Start with Clear Communication

When concerns arise, the first step is clear and respectful communication with your child’s teacher. Make sure the teacher understands the behaviors you’re seeing at home — difficulty decoding words, persistent spelling struggles, slow reading fluency, or frustration around literacy tasks.

Open dialogue with educators can reveal patterns you might not see at home and gives the school team a chance to share observations and strategies. Collaboration at this stage can lead to early classroom interventions or screenings for reading challenges.

Understand School Screening and Support Laws

In Tennessee, schools are required to screen students for characteristics of dyslexia at regular intervals, especially in early grades. These screenings help identify students who may need additional literacy support, such as an Individualized Learning Plan for Dyslexia (ILP-D), under the state’s “Say Dyslexia” law.

An ILP-D outlines the supports your child will receive but is not a formal diagnosis of dyslexia. It is a collaborative tool between families and the school to document needs and decide on interventions that strengthen foundational reading skills.

Ask for Evaluation When Needed

If your child continues to struggle despite school interventions, it may be time to request a formal evaluation. A comprehensive evaluation can clarify whether your child has dyslexia or another specific learning difficulty and helps guide appropriate instructional planning. Professional evaluators look at phonological awareness, decoding ability, fluency, and comprehension to build a complete picture of your child’s strengths and challenges.

While screening flags possible issues, a full evaluation provides a diagnosis and detailed recommendations tailored to your child’s learning profile — empowering you to advocate more effectively with the school.

Know Your Rights and School Options

Families have rights under both federal and state education laws. For instance, if a child is diagnosed with dyslexia or another specific learning disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), they may qualify for an Individualized Education Program (IEP) with legally enforceable supports.

Even without an official diagnosis, many students benefit from accommodations and early literacy interventions through RTI² or ILP-D plans, helping them access the general education curriculum while receiving targeted support.

Keep Track of Progress and Stay Involved

Once supports are in place, it’s important to track progress. Ask for regular updates and data from your child’s school team so you can see how interventions are working over time. Clear data makes it easier to determine if instruction is effective, needs adjustment, or should be intensified.

In ongoing partnerships with schools, maintaining a respectful, solutions-oriented tone helps keep everyone focused on what’s best for your child’s learning and confidence.

Don’t Be Afraid to Seek External Support

When navigating public school systems feels overwhelming, external professionals — such as dyslexia specialists, speech-language pathologists, or educational psychologists — can offer clarity, strategy, and guidance. External evaluations often provide insight that supports conversations with school staff and helps families understand the best path forward for interventions.

Experts can help interpret assessment results, recommend instruction appropriate to your child’s needs, and even coach families on how to communicate effectively with schools.

Advocating for your child within a public school can feel intimidating at times, but you are not alone. Contact Us to get started.