California may soon implement mandatory dyslexia screenings for its second-grade students, thanks to a budget provision by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
In his latest proposed 2023–24 state budget, released on May 12, the governor set aside $1 million for the age group to undergo screening for dyslexia beginning with the 2025–26 school year.
Newsom said that he was confident the last-minute addition would pass negotiations in advance of the June 15 deadline for the Legislature to approve the state’s upcoming budget, which goes into effect July 1.
The governor, who has noted he struggles with dyslexia, said he wants to ensure that the screening tests will be available in multiple languages and will take into account students’ cultural and language backgrounds.
The proposed funding calls for a panel to meet next year to review several different types of dyslexia screening tests to offer schools.
He said the University of San Francisco, in particular, is developing a screening test that will take into account such criteria—something he hopes to share with other states interested in such screening, if successful, he said.
“I’m excited about what California will export to other states,” Newsom said. “It’s not just about being one of the other states, it’s about being the best among other states.”
Portantino’s bill has passed the state Senate Education Committee and is set for a hearing in the state Senate Appropriations Committee on May 18.
He praised the governor’s decision in a May 12 statement.
“I am extremely grateful and appreciative of Governor Newsom for including dyslexia risk screening in the [May budget proposal revision],” Portantino said. “Given our budget challenges this year, the governor’s commitment to prioritizing and addressing dyslexia risk screening and early literacy demonstrates his deep commitment to ensuring that our children thrive and succeed.”
Portantino’s office was not immediately available for comment.
Portantino previously referred to data from the International Dyslexia Association, which reports that it takes four times longer to help a child overcome dyslexia in 4th grade than it does in late kindergarten.
Other states that do not screen children are Utah, Alaska, Hawaii, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New York, and Vermont.
