Reading Difficulties Risk Screener Selection Panel
Information about the Reading Difficulties Risk Screener Selection Panel authorized by California Education Code Section 53008.Background | Panelists and Terms of Office | Meetings | Governing Policy | Get Involved | Contact Information
Background
Pursuant to Education Code Section (EC) 53008, the State Board of Education (SBE) was delegated authority to appoint independent experts to the Reading Difficulties Risk Screener Selection Panel (RDRSSP) for the purpose of creating an approved list of evidence-based, culturally, linguistically, and developmentally appropriate screening instruments, by December 31, 2024, for pupils in kindergarten and grades one and two to assess pupils for risk of reading difficulties, including possible neurological disorders such as dyslexia.
Panelists and Terms of Office
On January 18, 2024, the SBE appointed an independent panel of experts to the RDRSSP as recommended by the SBE’s Screening Committee, subject to condition that appointed panelists may be removed if they are found to have a conflict of interest. Additionally, the SBE adopted a governing policy for the RDRSSP.
- Item 6 (DOCX) Subject: RDRSSP Governing Policy
- Item 16 (DOCX) Subject: RDRSSP: Recommendation of Independent Experts to Serve as Panel Members.
The appointed panelists are as follows. Please note that, pursuant to Section IV.A of the RDRSSP Governing Policy, Young-Suk Kim and Yesenia Guerrero have been selected as Chair and Vice Chair of the Panel, respectively.
| Name | Position | Employer |
|---|---|---|
| Young-Suk Kim, Chair | Professor & Senior Associate Dean | University of California, Irvine |
| Yesenia Guerrero, Vice Chair | Special Education Teacher | Lennox School District |
| Dominic Grasso | Assistant Professor, Elementary Literacy Education | California State University, Northridge |
| Carlin Graveline | Speech-Language Pathologist/Literacy Specialist | Sole Proprietorship |
| Martha Martinez | Senior Director of Research & Evaluation | Sobrato Early Academic Language (SEAL) |
| Jessica Niessen | READ Coordinator | Los Angeles Unified School District |
| Gisela O’Brien | Assistant Director, Biliteracy and English Learner Programs | Center for Equity for English Learners, Loyola Marymount University |
| Timothy Odegard | Professor of Psychology, Chair of Excellence, Dyslexic Studies | Middle Tennessee State University |
| Tamara Wilson | Director, Development and Training | Sacramento County Office of Education |
Subject to the provisions of the Governing Policy, effective January 18, 2024, panel members will serve for a term of up to two years, ending no later than December 31, 2025. However, the SBE may extend term for any panel member, including for the purposes of updating the review process adopted by the SBE and/or amending the list of approved screening instruments adopted by the panel. Panel members may also be removed before the expiration of their term, as set forth in the Governing Policy and consistent with the SBE’s January 18, 2024, appointment of the panelists.
Meetings
Beginning February 16, 2024, regular meetings of the RDRSSP will be held monthly through December 2024. With the consent of the Chair and Vice chair in consultation with California Department of Education (CDE) staff and SBE staff, the RDRSSP may cancel a scheduled meeting or hold additional meetings, as necessary. Meetings are held in Room 1101 at the California Department of Education, which is located at 1430 N Street, Sacramento, California 95814. Meetings will also be streamed live during the scheduled meeting dates.
All proceedings of the RDRSSP are governed by the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act and are conducted openly so that the public may be fully informed.
Meetings
2024 Public Meeting Notices, Agendas, Minutes, and Webcasts
Governing Policy
Governing Policy of the RDRSSP adopted by the SBE on January 18, 2024 (PDF)
How is the public involved in the RDRSSP?
The RDRSSP welcomes public involvement. Opportunities for public comment are provided in-person and by telephone at meetings, and may also be submitted via email to rdrssp@cde.ca.gov.
To receive information and updates regarding the RDRSSP, including information about meeting agendas and other notices, please subscribe to the RDRSSP mailing list by sending a blank message to join-rdrssp@mlist.cde.ca.gov.
Contact Information
California Reading Difficulties Risk Screener Selection Panel
California Department of Education
Statewide Literacy Office
1430 N Street, Suite 6208
Sacramento, CA 95814
Email: rdrssp@cde.ca.gov