Board approves MCAS/DIBELS as countywide K–2 reading difficulties risk screener for Student Services
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Summary
The board approved MCAS with DIBELS (and DIBELS Lectura) as the required universal reading‑difficulties screener for Student Services K–2 students. Staff said the tool was selected after a review of the state‑approved options and committee review; estimated first‑year cost (licenses + training) is not to exceed about $6,000.
The San Bernardino County Board of Education voted May 12 to adopt MCAS with DIBELS (and the Spanish DIBELS Lectura component) as its reading difficulties risk screener (RDRS) for kindergarten through second‑grade students served by Student Services.
The adoption implements the state’s new requirement (Senate Bill 114 and Education Code guidance) that local education agencies screen K–2 students for risk of reading difficulties beginning in the 2025–26 school year. Jennifer Gaitley, Student Services program manager for assessment and educational technology, led the staff presentation and described a multi‑step committee process that reviewed the four state‑approved screener options and recommended MCAS/DIBELS for Student Services’ programmatic context.
“Our committee identified key considerations that included English‑learner supports, accommodations for students with disabilities, test‑administration models (digital vs. paper and group vs. one‑on‑one), staff training and cost,” Gaitley said. “Of the state‑approved instruments, MCAS with DIBELS scored highest in our local evaluation, in part because it provides a one‑on‑one assessment option, a Spanish instrument (DIBELS Lectura), and a data dashboard with instructional next steps.”
Adoption process and rationale: Student Services convened an RDRS adoption committee that included special education and alternative education teachers, principals and assessment staff. The committee used the California RDRS toolkit and the State Board of Education’s selection list to evaluate tools on practical considerations: multilingual access, accommodations for students with disabilities and the ability to administer in different formats and groupings. MCAS/DIBELS was the only reviewed tool that (a) offered both a comprehensive Spanish‑language option and (b) met web content accessibility guidelines, staff said.
Training and costs: Student Services staff proposed a phased implementation and professional‑learning cycle; for the county office’s Student Services population the first‑year licensing plus coaching and training was estimated “not to exceed $6,000,” Gaitley told the board. Staff said the vendor provides a “home‑connect” portal, family materials in English and Spanish, and a teacher dashboard that aligns screening results to research‑based next instructional steps.
Board action: After presentation and discussion, a board member moved adoption of MCAS with DIBELS and DIBELS Lectura for the county’s Student Services programs. The motion was seconded, the board voted in favor, and staff were directed to begin vendor contracting and implementation planning, subject to the usual procurement and budget approvals. The transcript shows the motion was made and seconded and “Aye” votes were called; the meeting record did not record an itemized roll‑call tally in the minutes.
Implementation notes and limitations: Staff noted that some students—particularly young, nonverbal or profoundly disabled students—may require individualized consideration, accommodations or alternate assessment approaches; those determinations will be handled through Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams. Student Services also said it will provide additional staff training and a communications plan to make screening outcomes and next steps available to families.
Ending: Staff will return with implementation timelines, training schedules and vendor contracting steps; the board approved the county adoption for Student Services and directed staff to proceed with procurement and professional learning plans.
