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DFP Accountability Dispatch

Vol. 1, No. 6  ·  May 23, 2026

Manteca Unified School District Used Illegal Reading Test on Kindergartners for at Least a Year

State Knew of Non-Compliance with California's Approved Screener Mandate

This Week's Franchise

Investigation

Manteca Unified School District Used Illegal Reading Test on Kindergartners for at Least a Year

State Knew of Non-Compliance with California's Approved Screener Mandate

Manteca Unified School District (MUSD) has been using an illegal reading test on kindergartners for at least a year, despite the state's knowledge of the non-compliance. According to a public records investigation by Dismal Freedom Press, MUSD adopted NWEA MAP Growth as its K–2 universal reading screener in June 2025, which does not appear on California's state-approved screener list under Ed. Code § 53008.

The California Department of Education (CDE) has formally found MUSD non-compliant with the state's approved screener mandate. This finding comes after DFP's CPRA investigation placed the district's own records on the public record, revealing the use of the non-state-approved reading screener.

Regional Triage

Triage

209 Manteca
MUSD Found Non-Compliant with State Reading Screener Mandate
The California Department of Education has formally found Manteca Unified School District non-compliant with the state's approved reading screener mandate, following a public records investigation by Dismal Freedom Press.
707 Vallejo
Live Events Standards Council Launches Certification Cycle
The Live Events Standards Council has opened applications for its inaugural certification cycle, establishing an independently audited compliance framework for venues, ticketing platforms, and promoters across the live events industry.
925 East Bay
Front Row Certified Launches Consumer Seal
Front Row Certified has launched its certification seal for live events venues and ticketing platforms, identifying entities that have met independently audited standards for fee transparency, bot protection, and resale fairness.
510 Napa
New Watchdog Contacts State Attorneys General
The Live Events Standards Council has formally contacted 33 state attorneys general plus DC, offering Fan Advocate board seats and requesting offices reference Front Row Certified standards in venue and platform communications.

Public Records Tracker

CPRA Table

AgencyRequestFiledStatusNext Step
Manteca Unified School DistrictRecords related to the adoption and use of NWEA MAP Growth reading screener2026-04-15CompletedAnalysis of received records
California Department of EducationRecords related to the state's approved reading screener list2026-04-15PendingFollow-up on request status
Live Events Standards CouncilRecords related to the certification cycle and compliance framework2026-04-10PendingFollow-up on request status
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