California Dyslexia Screening 2025-26: A Parent's Guide

What does "at risk" mean on my child's screening results?

"At risk" — or "below benchmark," meaning below the reading level expected for their grade — means your child's results fell below the threshold that research links to reading difficulty. It does not mean your child has been diagnosed with dyslexia. It does not mean they will always struggle with reading. It means this snapshot, at this moment, suggests they need closer attention and likely some targeted reading support.

Think of it like a vision screening at the pediatrician's office. If your child doesn't pass, you schedule an eye appointment. The screening doesn't tell you exactly what's happening — it tells you it's worth finding out. A dyslexia screening cannot diagnose dyslexia; only a comprehensive evaluation can do that. For more on the difference between the two, see Dyslexia Screening vs. Full Evaluation: What's the Difference?.

Under California Education Code Section 53008, if your child is identified as needing additional support, the school must provide it. That can include evidence-based literacy instruction focused on your child's specific needs, small-group or one-on-one reading support, and regular progress monitoring to check how your child is responding. If the school believes a deeper look is warranted, further evaluation or assessment may also be offered. The results letter must explain what support the school is putting in place — not just what the score was.

Your child can be opted out of the screening in writing. The school is required to notify you at least 15 days before the screener is administered and explain how to opt out. Most reading specialists, including those at the UCSF Dyslexia Center, recommend participating even if your child already has an IEP (Individualized Education Program) or a 504 Plan, because the data is useful regardless.

If your child's results look fine but you are still worried, trust that instinct. Screeners are quick and broad — they catch a lot, but not everything. You can bring your observations to your child's teacher at any time and request a full evaluation in writing, regardless of what the screener showed. You do not need the screening to flag your child first. Our article on what to do when the school says "wait and see" walks through your options if you feel like your concerns aren't being taken seriously.

What to do now

Ask your child's school which screener they are using and when results will be sent home, if you haven't received them yet. If the 45-day window has passed and you've heard nothing, contact the teacher or school office and ask directly.

If your child's results show they are at risk, get in writing what support the school is providing and how they will track your child's progress. If you want to understand what your rights are when the school's response isn't enough, the 504 Plan vs. IEP article is a good place to start.

If you want to support your child's reading at home right now, start with decodable books — short books built around the specific letter-sound patterns your child is working on. What Are Decodable Books and Why Do They Matter? explains how to choose them, and How to Read With Your Child Who Has Dyslexia gives practical guidance on making that practice feel less like a battle.

For California-specific rights, laws, and resources, visit the California state page. And if you want help figuring out exactly where to start based on your child's grade and results, the Personalized Results Guide can map out your next steps.

Sources: California Education Code Section 53008 (Senate Bill 114, Chapter 48, California Statutes of 2023); California Department of Education, Letter on Approved Reading Screeners (December 2024); Governor's Office of California, Press Release on Reading Screener Approval (December 2024); EdSource, Quick Guide: What You Need to Know About the New Reading Screenings (October 2025); IDA Northern California, Update: Universal Reading Screening in California (2024).