Pomona Unified outlines rollout of state-required K'2 reading screener; DIBELS chosen districtwide

Pomona Unified officials on Oct. 15 told the school board the district will implement the DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) screener to comply with a state requirement that K'2 students be screened annually for risk of reading difficulties, including dyslexia.

Deputy Superintendent Julia Fuentes and Dr. Catherine Murillo Schone said the district selected DIBELS before the state mandate and has piloted the tool at sites including Decker. Fuentes cited Education Code language discussed at the meeting (transcript reference: "Ed Code Section 5,300") and said the district will administer the screener in the midyear (MOY) window to give students time to receive foundational instruction, provide results to parents in February, and review results with teachers at parent conferences in March. Parents may opt out in writing; exemptions include students already identified with reading disabilities, those eligible for special education, or students in the process of a special education assessment.

Dr. Schone described the district's training and data systems, noting that the MClass/Amplify platform offers immediate class summary reports to help teachers form intervention groups. Staff said Pomona Unified tested 9,009 students this year and that the district has seen modest reductions in the share of students at highest risk ("red" category) while the number of students above grade level is increasing. District staff emphasized supports for multilingual learners and the requirement that students not sufficiently proficient in English be screened in their primary language if a validated translation is available.

Officials outlined a parent notification timeline: December notices about the upcoming screenings, a December 15 deadline for written opt-outs, screening in January, results letters in February, and teacher-parent review during March conferences. The presentation stressed that identification through screening requires follow-up interventions and that LEAs must provide supports based on screening results.

No formal action was taken; the presentation served to inform the board and community about implementation and timelines. Staff said additional resources and webinars will be posted on the district website.

"By screening all pupils for risk of reading difficulties, Early California can help families and teachers achieve the best learning and life outcomes for all pupils and close the academic achievement gap," Deputy Superintendent Julia Fuentes said during the presentation.

The district noted the law allows written opt-outs and provides limited exemptions for students already identified in special education.