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Santa Maria‑Bonita board adopts Amira screening tool to meet new state reading law
Summary
The board voted to adopt Amira as the district’s K–2 reading‑difficulties risk screener to comply with SB114; district staff described a multi‑site pilot, language access measures and parent notification requirements ahead of fall 2025 implementation.
The Santa Maria‑Bonita School District Board of Education on June 11 voted to adopt Amira as the district’s official reading‑difficulties risk screener for kindergarten through second grade, meeting a state deadline tied to SB114.
District staff told the board the new state law requires an annual screening for K–2 students and formal adoption by June 30, 2025. A district committee developed a rubric, a pilot committee representing all 17 elementary sites tested the remaining vendor platforms, and teachers and specialists provided survey feedback that informed the recommendation.
Administrators said the selection considered Spanish‑language availability, teacher ease of use, reporting features and training requirements. Staff described Amira as an AI‑assisted platform that supports bilingual audio processing and provides recordings and reports that teachers can review or override if they disagree with the automated evaluation. The district emphasized that students must be assessed in their primary classroom language and that parents will receive notifications and results with explanatory materials within statutory timeframes.
Board members asked about student experience in group settings, data reporting and how teachers would use results for interventions; staff responded that each student uses an individual device, the program attempts to filter background noise, and teachers can group students by identified needs for small‑group instruction. Questions about exemptions for students with IEPs or 504 plans were answered by reference to an exemption flowchart and district process.
Mr. Valencia moved and Miss Cabraw seconded the motion to approve the adoption; the motion carried by voice vote. The district indicated implementation will begin in fall 2025 and that parents may opt out per the communication requirements in the law.
Next steps include parent notifications before testing, assessment windows set by grade level, and returning to the board or administration with implementation details as needed.
