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District approves Amira as K–2 reading screener, will add online tutoring
Summary
The Jefferson Elementary School District board approved Amira as its new K–2 reading-difficulty screener and universal benchmark for 2025–26, citing Spanish-language administration and an online tutoring component; trustees asked about cost and whether the tool replaces FastBridge.
The Jefferson Elementary School District board voted unanimously to adopt Amira as the district’s K–2 reading-difficulty screening instrument and universal benchmark, and to use its online tutoring feature for early intervention beginning in the 2025–26 school year. Jessica Pace, the district’s teaching and learning program director, told the board that state guidance under Senate Bill 114 requires an approved screener and that the district’s review narrowed four approved tools to two options before selecting Amira.
Pace said Amira "can be administered to the whole class or to a small group of students in under 20 minutes" and that it "can administer the assessment in Spanish," which the district expects will improve access for multilingual students. She described three roles for the platform: meeting the state reading-screening requirement, serving as a universal benchmark administered three times per year (replacing FastBridge), and providing 30 minutes per week of individualized online tutoring for students identified as needing extra support.
Trustees asked several clarifying questions during discussion. One trustee asked whether the package includes a dyslexia screener; a trustee noted the district was surprised FastBridge was not approved at the state level. Pace said the state panel reviewed many programs and that Amira’s combination of screening, benchmarking and tutoring made it the preferred option for the district. Questions about cost were raised; Pace said there will be an ongoing cost after initial grant funding covers the first year but did not provide an exact dollar figure during the meeting.
The board approved the recommendation after a motion and second; the chair announced the motion passed unanimously. The district indicated it will provide more detailed budget figures and cost comparisons on request.
What's next: The district will implement Amira in the 2025–26 school year, train staff, and follow the state timeline for screening new kindergarten–second grade students within 45 days of enrollment unless parents opt out in writing.
