Director urges Cherry Creek to implement universal dyslexia screening before state deadline

Director Allen urged the Cherry Creek School District Board of Education on May 12 to move the district toward universal early dyslexia screening before the state-mandated timeline.

Allen told the board that “dyslexia identification is a point of privilege, obtainable only for those with the right combination of time, money, knowledge, and access,” and said Senate Bill 25 200 (as he described it) would remove barriers by requiring early screening statewide.

The issue matters because, Allen said, early identification and intervention affect long-term outcomes. He cited Colorado Department of Education findings that students who are not reading proficiently by third grade are “four times more likely not to graduate from high school,” and told the board that waiting until 2027 to adopt universal screeners would mean “another full class of children, potentially thousands, will go without critical support they need.”

Allen framed the proposal as aligned with the district's strategic plan goal of universal literacy by 2030 and urged the district to act now rather than wait for a state mandate. He noted that other large districts are already using universal screeners as an early intervention strategy.

Superintendent Christopher Smith acknowledged the district's recent advocacy at the state capitol and tied literacy work to broader district priorities. Smith thanked board members for their advocacy and said of the district's overall work: “every student every day.” He said the district's recent initiatives and partnerships give him confidence in the district's ability to improve reading outcomes by 2030.

No formal motion or vote on adopting a universal dyslexia screener occurred at the meeting. Allen asked the board to consider implementing screening sooner than the state timeline; that request was presented as a board discussion item and not as a directive or formal action.

Board members responded with support for literacy and celebration of district work. Several directors and the superintendent highlighted existing district literacy initiatives and graduation-season activities, but no specific implementation plan, dates, cost estimates, or vendor selections were presented at the meeting.

The board did not adopt policy changes or direct staff to implement universal screening during the May 12 meeting. Any future formal action to adopt a universal screener would need to be brought as a staff recommendation or a formal motion on a future agenda.

Members of the public and board members have previously advocated for earlier intervention; the topic is likely to reappear in future board discussions and agenda items as the district refines its approach to literacy and dyslexia supports.