Glendora Unified adopts Multitudes as state‑approved K–2 reading screener

The Glendora Unified School District board on April 28 adopted Multitudes as the district’s K–2 universal reading screener under the new state requirement (ED Code SP114).

Dr. Naro and the district’s reading intervention teachers reviewed the four state‑approved instruments and recommended Multitudes because it is research‑based, offers Spanish and multilingual supports, integrates with the district’s rostering platform, and does not charge California public schools for basic access. Staff said the assessment typically takes 10–15 minutes per student and generates immediate reports for teachers and parents.

The district has received $28,472 in funding to cover professional learning tied to implementation. Staff outlined a phased rollout: foundational and rostering work in summer, in‑person training in the fall, and a first universal screening round in spring (timing chosen to give kindergarteners initial instruction before screening). The district emphasized that screening results are designed to guide instruction and intervention and are explicitly not to be used for high‑stakes decisions such as special education eligibility, retention, reclassification or teacher evaluation per ED code guidance.

Board members asked about content and timing; intervention staff described skill‑based tasks (letter names and sounds, nonsense words, phonemic tasks) rather than curriculum passages and assured the board the instrument is developmentally appropriate. The motion to adopt Multitudes passed unanimously.

Next steps: staff will roster users, complete training, notify parents per statutory timelines, and begin the pilot screening cycle next spring.