January 5, 2026

Dear PTA/PTO/PFO/PTC of San Juan Unified,

I write to you today as a mother.

In 2018 I learned my son was at-risk for reading failure. First, generations of men in my family were either low-literate or illiterate. Second, my son struggled greatly to speak.

In 2022 I heard about a bill to mandate screening of K-2 children for reading difficulties, including risk of dyslexia. For almost a decade many people, but particularly mothers of children who struggled to read, worked to pass the bill to mandate screening. And for years, many people, but particularly education groups, opposed the bill because screening would compel people to modernize their reading instructional practices. I got involved. I hand-delivered a personal letter to every single legislator. I literally begged them to pass the law.

I knew that screening needed to be mandated so that every Californian child could have the same chance for a literate life that my son had. I told many legislative staffers when I lobbied them: everyone in my son’s world was ‘given notice’ early on that he was at-risk for reading failure. Then, we all stepped up. He’s now reading.

Screening has commenced. And yet, I sense that in many districts there is widespread confusion and uncertainty about the intent of the law and about how to effectively intervene with children who struggle.

So, I’ll be writing to you about literacy twice a month. In my letters I’ll share the intent of the law and how the PTA/PTO has a very large interest in making sure ALL children can actually read and write. I’ll also share my journey to help my son and my thoughts about what I think ALL districts should be doing to reduce their at-risk notices.

In the meantime, please visit sanjuanreadsandwrites.club to learn more.

In His joy,

Caroline Taber

“Once you learn to read, you will forever be free.”
Frederick Douglass