Tennessee legislators recently passed new dyslexia legislation—Public Chapter 902 (2026)—which took effect on July 1, 2026. This law directs the State Board of Education to create a new qualified dyslexia interventionist endorsement. To obtain this endorsement, the statute requires educators to hold the C‑SLDI credential issued by CERI, along with any additional requirements the State Board may establish.

The new law does not prohibit other trained educators from providing dyslexia intervention, but it does place the weight of state statute behind a single private certifying organization. This raises concerns about access, equity, and the potential for one entity to gain disproportionate influence over who is formally recognized as a qualified dyslexia interventionist in Tennessee.

This petition seeks to ensure that Tennessee recognizes multiple rigorous, nationally respected professional pathways for attaining the qualified dyslexia interventionist endorsement—rather than elevating a single proprietary credential.

Click on the hyperlink to read the Position Statement, the Proposed Amendment (2 alternatives), and the Rationale for the Amendment.

Please share this petition within your networks and on your platforms, and encourage others to do the same. It is essential that we work together to safeguard the interests of Tennessee students with dyslexia and characteristics of dyslexia, and to ensure that no private entity is allowed to monopolize our children’s educational opportunities.

Thank you for your continued commitment to Tennessee’s students and families. Together, we can improve learning outcomes for ALL Tennessee students.

Tennessee Dyslexia Collaboration (TNDC)