President’s Letter
Much has happened in the first months of 2025! We started this year with our Annual Member Meeting, which Northridge Academy graciously hosted at their site in Mill Valley on February 8th. It offered a chance to network with other IDA NorCal members and to hear about what our local branch and the national IDA office accomplished in 2024 and plan for 2025. We also took the opportunity to honor Glean Education Founder and CEO Jessica Hamman for her amazing work supporting teachers and learners with dyslexia throughout Northern California and the nation. (See story below.)
We also discussed implementation of universal screening for reading risk at the Annual Meeting, which was mandated under legislation passed two years ago. The California Department of Education has approved four screening instruments for this purpose. Schools have until June to choose one or more and are required to begin K-2 screening during the 2025-26 school year. The California Department of Education website has posted free webinars with more information about the screeners and screening process.
You can also learn more about screening at a free, virtual webinar IDA NorCal will host on Thursday, May 8th from 6:30 – 8:00 pm. This webinar will be led by Dr. Bonnie Garcia, the California Statewide Literacy Co-Director for the California Department of Education. Dr. Garcia will provide general information about preventative screening for reading risk and briefly discuss the four screener options. Please register here for this free event.
Looking ahead to summer, our website lists many different structured literacy teacher training opportunities. While funds may be tight right now, please know that many of the listed trainings are eligible for a teacher training scholarship. If you meet the eligibility requirements you can be awarded up to 50% of the eligible training or practicum costs. Click here for more info and the application.
Did you know that IDA NorCal is now a mission partner with The Reading League California? We believe that this partnership will help us work together to build stronger ties between our organizations as we work to support educators, schools, families, and students in their literacy goals. More information about the Reading League California, other mission partners, and Reading League resources can be found here.
Finally, a word about our national organization. As an IDA member, you have access to a growing library of infograms, webinars, and many other digital resources. Just log into the IDA membership portal with your email address. The link allows you to access the special 75th anniversary issue of Perspectives, which includes articles from leaders in the field on a wide range of topics.
IDA is also conducting a spring membership drive from April 21-May 21, 2025. New members can use code SPRING15 to receive 15% off a 2-year membership. It’s also a great time to renew your membership if it has lapsed.
Wishing you all a happy spring!