Dear County and District Superintendents and Charter School Administrators:

Reminder: Annual Screening for Risk of Reading Difficulties Requirements

Ensuring that every California student has the opportunity to become a proficient reader is one of our most important responsibilities. Identifying students who may be at risk for reading difficulties, including risk for dyslexia, is an important part of supporting that goal, as early identification with evidence-based early literacy instruction and intervention can improve literacy outcomes and help address academic achievement gaps. Screening students for risk of reading difficulties provides educators timely information to better understand students’ learning needs and provide appropriate instructional support.

This letter serves as a reminder that beginning with the 2025–26 school year and annually thereafter, all local educational agencies (LEAs) serving students in kindergarten through grade two are required, pursuant to California Education Code (EC) Section 53008, to screen students in kindergarten through grade two for risk of reading difficulties, including dyslexia, using the screening instrument(s) adopted by their governing board or body from California’s list approved by the Reading Difficulties Risk Screener Selection Panel.

Consistent with EC Section 53008(a), screening should be considered part of a school’s comprehensive instructional strategy. Screening results can help educators inform individualized instruction, monitor progress, identify learning needs, and engage families in more informed discussions about student needs.

Important Recent Legislative Updates

Pursuant to Assembly Bill 126 (2025–26), EC Section 53008(e) was amended. The amended statute:

• Prohibits an LEA from administering a screening instrument to a kindergarten student before the 91st school day of the school year for the purpose of identifying risk for reading difficulties.
• Strongly recommends administering the screening instrument on a one-on-one or small-group basis in accordance with the administration instructions for each screening instrument on the approved list.

The 2026–27 state budget also provides an additional $40 million to support LEAs in implementing these requirements.

Resources to Support Implementation

The California Department of Education (CDE) provides resources to help LEAs meet the following requirements.

• California Literacy Resource web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cl/: Includes approved screening instruments, legislative updates, implementation resources, and professional learning opportunities.
  
  
• Screening and Assessments web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cl/screeningandassessment.asp: Provides guidance and resources to support California’s Screening for Risk Reading Difficulties requirements, including approved screening instruments, implementation tools, assessment information, and early intervention supports for students.
  
  
• Screening for Risk of Reading Difficulties FAQs web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cl/screenerfaqs.asp: Provides guidance on screening administration, parent notification, exemptions, multilingual learners, and student supports.
  
  
• 2026 Legislative Funding Information letter at https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/el/le/yr26ltr0724.asp: The July 24, 2026, letter includes information about the 2026 legislative amendments and implementation funding.
  
  
• Education Code Section 53008 at https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=53008&lawCode=EDC: The full statutory requirements.

I encourage all LEA leaders to review their local screening practices, ensure that required screenings are administered annually, and use available CDE resources to support successful implementation.

Early identification is an important first step, but what happens next matters most. By connecting screening results to effective instruction and timely intervention, we can help more California students develop strong reading skills and succeed in school.

For questions or additional assistance, please contact the California Statewide Literacy Office at statewideliteracycampaign@cde.ca.gov.

Thank you for your continued commitment to California’s students and their success.

Sincerely,

Tony Thurmond
State Superintendent of Public Instruction