This Week's Franchise
InvestigationManteca Unified School District Used Illegal Reading Test on Kindergartners for at Least a Year
California Department of Education found MUSD non-compliant with state-approved screener mandate after DFP's CPRA investigation
Manteca Unified School District (MUSD) has been using an illegal reading test on kindergartners for at least a year, according to a recent investigation by Dismal Freedom Press.
The California Department of Education (CDE) formally found MUSD non-compliant with the state's approved screener mandate under California Education Code § 53008, following DFP's public records investigation.
MUSD adopted NWEA MAP Growth as its K–2 universal reading screener in June 2025, despite it not appearing on California's state-approved screener list.
Regional Triage
Triage
MUSD Found Non-Compliant with State-Approved Screener Mandate
The California Department of Education found Manteca Unified School District non-compliant with the state's approved screener mandate after DFP's CPRA investigation.
Live Events Standards Council 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.
Front Row Certified Launches Consumer Seal for Fan-First Venues and Ticketing Platforms
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.
Live Events Standards Council Opens Inaugural Certification Cycle
The Live Events Standards Council has formally opened applications for its inaugural certification cycle, establishing an independently audited compliance framework for venues, ticketing platforms, and promoters across the live events industry.
Public Records Tracker
CPRA Table
| Agency | Request | Filed | Status | Next Step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manteca Unified School District | Records related to the adoption and use of NWEA MAP Growth as a universal reading screener | 2025 | Completed | Analysis of received records |
| California Department of Education | Records related to the state's approved screener mandate and MUSD's non-compliance | 2026 | Pending | Follow-up with CDE for update on request status |