Palm Springs Unified board adopts state-required K–2 reading screener, plans rollout next school year

The Palm Springs Unified School District board voted to adopt MCAS DIBELS as the district’s K–2 reading screener on Tuesday, approving the recommendation after a multi-week pilot and an extended question-and-answer session.

District Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction Jessica Whiteman told the board the move responds to a new California Education Code requirement that local education agencies screen kindergarten through second-grade students for risk of reading difficulties, including dyslexia. “The results are not a diagnosis but more so just an indicator that there is a concern, to intervene,” Whiteman said.

Whiteman said the district piloted two options, Amira (an AI-driven product) and MCAS DIBELS, from Feb. 27 through May 12 with 42 teachers representing every elementary grade and program. The pilot team favored MCAS DIBELS; district staff obtained a quote of $62,575 to license MCAS DIBELS and to add licenses for grades 3–5 so the district uses one consistent assessment across elementary grades. The district plans to remove the current screeners (CBMs and ESGI used in kindergarten) and to adopt MCAS DIBELS in their place.

Why it matters: The new law requires annual screening of every kindergarten through second-grade student unless a parent submits a written opt-out;…