K-2 Reading Difficulties Risk Screener

A Reading Difficulties Risk Screener is a short, efficient, research-based assessment designed to test the foundational reading skills of letter naming, phoneme segmentation, word reading and nonsense word reading, reading fluency, and comprehension. Through assessment of these foundational reading skills, the screener identifies students who may be experiencing reading challenges.  It is not a comprehensive reading evaluation, and it does not provide information such as what books students can read or not read independently.  

The purpose of a Reading Difficulties Risk Screener is to identify students who may need additional support with learning to read.  It allows educators to track growth,  celebrate strengths, and provide targeted instruction and interventions as needed.  A Reading Difficulties Risk Screener does not diagnose a reading disability.

VUSD considered the four Reading Difficulties Risk Screeners on CA Department of Education's approved list.  After thoroughly researching each of the four options, VUSD selected Amplify’s mCLASS DIBELS 8 because it best aligns with VUSD’s priorities. DIBELS is an acronym for Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills.

A Reading Difficulties Risk Screener is often used in the early elementary grades, especially grades Kindergarten through second grade, and is administered to all students.  It can also be used in later grades.

A Reading Difficulties Risk Screener is not a diagnostic test for Dyslexia, and it does not provide a formal diagnosis of Dyslexia.  A formal diagnosis of Dyslexia is provided by a medically trained doctor.

Prior to the Reading Difficulties Risk Screener administration in January, families are notified through a Notice to Parents//Guardians.  This Notice to Parents/Guardians is provided to families in December.

Screening consists of multiple one-minute assessments that add up to five minutes or less of a student’s time.  The number of assessments and the information each provides is consistent with how students learn to read and vary by grade:

DIBELS 8 will be administered three times per year in grades K - 3 with the K-2 January administration identified as the screener* for the purpose of California Education Code Section 53008.

The results will be shared with families within 45 days of the January screener.  The results will include an explanation in order to understand what the scores mean.  Results will be shared by your child’s teacher.

Your child’s teacher will use evidence-based literacy instruction focused on specific reading challenges as identified by DIBELS 8 in conjunction with at least one progress monitoring assessment at least twice per month.  The progress monitoring assessment will determine whether or not the instruction is resulting in growth and will be one of the following, at minimum:

Teachers will use both core and supplemental instructional tools adopted by VUSD’s Board of Education to provide more support during whole class instruction and small group instruction.  Examples of these instructional tools include
McGraw-Hill WONDERS 2017, Wilson Language Fundations, and Amplify’s mCLASS DIBELS 8 instructional resources. 

You’ll know your child’s reading ability is improving through your observations and interactions outside of school.  Your child’s day to day interactions with family, friends, and high interest activities will present opportunities for applying reading and comprehension skills.  In addition, periodic communication with your child’s teacher and participating in regular reading experiences with your child, such as listening to your child read both story-based and information-based text, will inform you of growth over time.  

Yes.  English Learners participate in the screener.

 Yes.  Students with IEPs participate in the screener.

Yes.  Dual Language Immersion students participate in the screener.

Results from the January K–2 reading screener will include personalized suggestions to help you support your child learning to read. Staying in communication with your child’s teacher can lead to additional teacher-provided suggestions as your child grows and develops new skills.

For questions on classroom instruction, interventions, and DIBELS 8 reports, please contact your child’s teacher or school. For further questions, please contact VUSD’s Teaching and Learning ELA Department @ 559-730-7555.