What the law requires

California Education Code section 53008 requires every school district, county office and charter school that serves grades K–2 to screen each kindergarten, 1st-grade and 2nd-grade student for risk of reading difficulties (§53008). The requirement came from Senate Bill 114, the TK–12 education omnibus trailer bill signed on July 10, 2023 (CDE). Under CDE's FAQs, last reviewed July 23, 2026:

  • Screening had to begin no later than the 2025–26 school year, and it repeats every year.
  • Each district had to adopt its screener by June 30, 2025, from the state's approved list.
  • Transitional kindergarten isn't included.
  • Districts must screen every student, including students with an IEP or 504 plan, unless an exemption applies.

Assembly Bill 126 (2026) amended section 53008. As amended, the law says kindergartners can't be screened before the 91st school day of the year, the staff who give the screener must be trained, and districts are strongly encouraged to screen one-on-one or in small groups. CDE is to publish new guidance by January 31, 2027 (CDE letter, July 24, 2026).

The four approved screeners

Screener Provider Grades and languages
Amira Amira Learning or HMH K–2, English and Spanish
mCLASS with DIBELS 8th Edition, and mCLASS Lectura Amplify Education K–2, English and Spanish
Multitudes UCSF Dyslexia Center K–2, English and Spanish
Rapid Online Assessment of Reading (ROAR) Stanford University's Brain Development and Education Lab Grades 1–2, English only

An expert panel appointed by the State Board of Education approved the list on December 16, 2024 (selection panel), and CDE announced it the next day. As of October 13, 2026, the CVUSD, Oak Park Unified and Las Virgenes Unified pages read for this guide didn't name the screener each district chose, so ask your child's school.

When it happens

The law doesn't set a calendar date. When choosing the time of year, districts must consider whether students have had enough instruction in foundational reading skills for the result to be valid, and, under the amended law, kindergartners can't be screened before the 91st school day. Two groups are handled differently:

  • Students who enroll later: a K–2 student who enrolls after the grade has been screened must be screened within 45 calendar days, unless a parent opts out in writing or the child had a similar screening at the previous school for the same grade.
  • English learners: a student who doesn't yet speak enough English for an English screener is screened in the home language if an approved screener exists in it. If none does, the school looks at the child's developmental, educational and literacy history, and screens once that becomes possible.

What parents get

  • Advance notice: information about the screening at least 15 calendar days before it's given.
  • Results: promptly, and no later than 45 calendar days after the screening, with an explanation of how to read them and any next steps.
  • An opt-out: a parent or guardian can opt a child out in writing.
  • Exemptions, with the parent's written consent: a child who already has an identified reading difficulty, reading disorder or other disability; a child who is eligible for special education or a 504 plan; or a child being assessed with diagnostic tests that make the screener redundant.

What the results mean

The results are a flag for possible risk, not a diagnosis of a disability. CDE says the screening isn't an evaluation or diagnostic tool and doesn't decide special education or 504 eligibility, though results may support a recommendation for further assessment (FAQs). Results can't be used for any high-stakes purpose; CDE's December 2024 letter gives reclassifying English learners as one example.

If a child is found at risk, the district must provide support suited to the child's specific challenges, such as evidence-based literacy instruction, progress monitoring or further evaluation.

If your child is flagged

  • Ask which skills the screener flagged. Letter sounds, blending sounds into words and reading speed call for different practice.
  • Ask what support the school will give, how often, and how progress will be checked.
  • Ask how to request an evaluation if you suspect a learning disability. The screener can't make that call.
  • Keep reading every day at home. The phonics at home guide has short routines, and the reading at grade level guide shows what each grade expects.

Thousand Acorns Tutoring teaches K–5 reading and phonics. It doesn't offer dyslexia intervention programs, and tutoring is not a substitute for the school's evaluation or services.

Questions parents ask

Is the K–2 reading screening a dyslexia test?

No. It flags possible risk of reading difficulties, including dyslexia, but it isn't a diagnosis or an evaluation, and it doesn't decide special education or 504 eligibility. The results can support a recommendation for further assessment.

Can I opt my child out of the reading screening?

Yes. A parent or guardian can opt a child out in writing.

When will I get my child's screening results?

Promptly, and no later than 45 calendar days after the screening. The results have to explain how to read them and any next steps.

Which screener does my child's school use?

Districts choose from four approved screeners: Amira, mCLASS (DIBELS 8th Edition and Lectura), Multitudes and ROAR. As of October 13, 2026, the CVUSD, Oak Park and Las Virgenes pages read for this guide didn't say which one they use, so ask the school.

Are transitional kindergartners screened?

No. The requirement covers kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade.

Sources