California takes proactive step to catch reading struggles early

California will begin screening 1.2 million kindergarten through second-grade students annually for reading difficulties starting in the 2025-26 school year, following a state-appointed panel of experts' approval of new assessment tools.

The Reading Difficulties Risk Screener Selection Panel approved screening instruments designed to identify students at risk for reading challenges, including dyslexia. The initiative marks the first time California has required universal reading difficulty screenings for early elementary students.

"I know from my own challenges with dyslexia that when we help children read, we help them succeed. By finalizing the reading difficulties screening tools, we are taking an important step toward early, universal reading screenings for California's kids,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said. 

The screening requirement stems from the 2023 Budget Act, which mandated annual screening for reading difficulties for kindergarten through second-grade students. Currently, California schools are not required to screen students for reading difficulties. State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond emphasized the importance of early detection. 

"Early identification of reading difficulties is essential for providing the individualized support needed for long-term success in reading. By identifying potential issues when students are beginning school, we can mitigate more substantial issues later, ensure better educational outcomes, and support a love of learning for all students," she said.

The nine-member screening panel, appointed by the State Board of Education in January 2024, was led by Dr. Young-Suk Kim, a professor and associate dean at the University of California, Irvine's School of Education, and Yesenia Guerrero, a special education teacher at Lennox School District.

The initiative is part of California's broader literacy strategy, which includes the recent deployment of more than 2,000 literacy coaches and reading specialists in high-needs schools across the state.

The California Department of Education plans to support the screening program through its Literacy Roadmap, which will provide educators with guidance on evidence-based literacy instruction. The department will release grade-level modules throughout the 2024-25 school year.

The screening program will coincide with the full implementation of universal transitional kindergarten in the 2025-26 school year, making all four-year-olds eligible for early education programs.

Local educational agencies with unused funds from the $6.2 billion Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant must conduct needs assessments focusing on English language arts performance to ensure accountability. These agencies must incorporate their findings into annual budget planning and explain how they will address identified needs.

The new screening requirement aims to identify reading challenges early in students' educational journeys, allowing schools to provide targeted support before students fall behind their peers. The approved screening tools were selected based on evidence-based criteria and must be culturally, linguistically, and developmentally appropriate.

The state's focus on early literacy intervention reflects research showing that identifying and addressing reading difficulties in early childhood can prevent long-term academic challenges. The universal screening program aims to provide equal access to early intervention for all students, regardless of their background or location within the state.

The Reading Difficulties Risk Screener Selection Panel completed its work ahead of the state's Dec. 31 deadline. The approved screening tools and related resources are now available for local educational agencies to review as they prepare for the 2025-26 school year implementation.