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SDLA Compliance Resource

Train and Calibrate Every K–2 Reading Screener Administrator

A pre-administration readiness check for vendor-required training, standardized directions, student access, scoring, security, and reliable referral handoffs.

  • K–2 Reading
  • Staff Training
  • Readiness
Date(s)Before an administrator first screens pupils and whenever the tool, version, procedures, or role changes; refresh as the approved instrument requires
Applies toTeachers and other staff administering or supporting the locally adopted approved screener

In Plain Language: Complete the approved instrument’s initial and ongoing training and demonstrate the ability to administer, score, document, and explain the screening consistently.

Why this matters

Even a strong instrument produces poor information if staff prompt differently, skip components, use the wrong language/version, or do not know what to do with a risk flag.

Joint ownership

Owner: LEA screening lead. Partners: vendor/trainer, site administrator, teachers, multilingual education, special education, IT, and data/privacy staff.

From administrator roster to calibrated K–2 screeners: the SDLA ITO workflow

Staff must be able to administer, score, document, and explain 'risk, not diagnosis' before they screen anyone. This SDLA ITO (Input, Transformation, Output) graphic shows how the list of administrators, the adopted instrument's training, and approved examples become the training and credential records, the calibration results, and the roster and escalation contacts.

SDLA ITO: eleven steps from the list of administrators, the adopted instrument's training, and approved examples, through training, practice, calibration, and readiness documentation, to the training and credential records, the calibration results, and the roster and escalation contacts.
Read down each column, then move to the next: Input identifies what to collect; Transformation covers training, practice, calibration, and readiness documentation; Output covers the training and credential records, the calibration results, and the roster and escalation contacts. Complete before an administrator first screens pupils, and whenever the tool, version, or role changes.

Open the full-size workflow graphic

Operational workflow

  1. Identify every administrator and role; enroll staff in required initial/ongoing training.
  2. Practice standardized administration, permitted supports, device setup, scoring, interruption, and irregularity handling.
  3. Calibrate with approved examples and verify staff can explain “risk, not diagnosis.”
  4. Document readiness; provide escalation contacts and a post-screening support/referral workflow.

Readiness proof

Know the tool
Administer consistently
Protect access and privacy
Score accurately
Explain and route results

Evidence to retain

  • Training completion/credential
  • Version and administration materials
  • Calibration/checklist results
  • Accessibility and irregularity protocol
  • Staff roster and escalation contacts

Official guidance and help

Source review completed August 30, 2026. Verify current federal and California law, CDE and test-contractor manuals, local board policy, adopted instruments, individual student circumstances, and live system status before acting.