Reading Public Schools

Literacy Assessments & Dyslexia Screening

Outline of district plans for 2022-2023

H. Leonard, May 2022

Literacy Screening Overview

Reading Public Schools have had literacy screening in place for many years and we have made additions and adjustments in order to ensure alignment with state mandates, including the Massachusetts Dyslexia Guidelines.

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All schools serving students in grades K-2 should conduct universal literacy screening with an appropriate assessment tool. Universal screening is conducted to identify students who may be at risk for poor learning outcomes. Universal screening assessments are typically brief, reliable, and valid assessments conducted with all students from a grade level. (MA DESE Early Literacy Universal Screening Assessment Guidance)

R.I.S.E.

R.I.S.E. utilizes the The BDI-3 Developmental Screening Test (quickly screens and evaluates early childhood developmental milestones to help identify children at risk for developmental delays or disabilities) and the Get Ready to Read Screening Tool (a research-based series of questions for children in the year before they enter kindergarten, to determine whether they have the early literacy skills they need to become readers) assessments.

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Students are assessed once a year, primarily during screening days prior to the school year start at RISE.

Kindergarten

Kindergarten utilizes the EarlyBird Education assessment. EarlyBird was developed and scientifically validated at Boston Children’s Hospital in partnership with faculty at the Florida Center for Reading Research. EarlyBird is an adaptive, self-administered game based assessment.

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Students are assessed with EarlyBird twice a year, once in the winter and again in the spring.

All students in grades K-5 are also assessed with the Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment which involves observing and quantifying specific reading behaviors, and then interpreting that data to plan meaningful instruction.

Grades 1-3

Grades 1, 2, and 3 utilize the Voyager Sopris Learning Acadience Reading assessment. Acadience Reading helps teachers identify children at risk for reading difficulties and determine the skills to target for instructional support. Students are assessed individually with a trained staff member.

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Students are assessed with Acadience three times a year, fall, winter, and spring.

All students in grades K-5 are also assessed with the Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment which involves observing and quantifying specific reading behaviors, and then interpreting that data to plan meaningful instruction.

RPS Literacy Screener Calendar

Supporting Information

In 2022, DESE will be updating approval criteria and re-reviewing all assessments to ensure they remain aligned to up-to-date evidence and relevant Massachusetts policies, including the new Massachusetts Dyslexia Guidelines. DESE expects to issue a revised list of approved screening assessments in May, 2022.

Informational overviews by Dr. Stys