September 18th, 2024

Reading is a vital skill for the achievement and well-being of students.

Elementary Early Reading Screening

In the coming weeks, Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) educators will assess the early reading skills of young students using a screening tool. This will include all students in:

  • Senior Kindergarten
  • Grade 1
  • Grade 2

Early reading screening supports the WRDSB Structured Literacy Multi-Year Plan (SLMYP) and is in line with guidance provided by the Ministry of Education.

How Screening Supports Student Literacy

Screening the early reading skills of students helps educators:

  • Monitor students development in early reading skills
  • Identify children who need more support
  • Guide classroom instruction

What the Screening Tool Assesses

The screening covers foundational skills needed for reading proficiency.

For example, a student might need to identify letters and their sounds, or sound out words. The specific details of the screening will vary depending on the grade. No extra preparation is needed nor expected for the screening.

The screening tool assesses:

  • Phonemic awareness
    • The ability to hear and identify individual speech sounds in words
  • Alphabet principle
    • The ability to identify letter and sound correspondences
  • Phonics
    • The ability to use letter and sound knowledge to read words
  • Reading fluency
    • The ability to read a story with accuracy and automaticity
  • Reading comprehension
    • The ability to understand what they read

Supports for Students

The results of this screening will help us determine how students are progressing with their reading skills. Tiered supports will be provided for students who need them.

Sharing the Results with Families and Caregivers

Educators will communicate with families and caregivers about their student’s literacy and language skills throughout the school year. They will discuss the student’s:

  • Strengths and examples of growth
  • Areas where they need support

Screening results for all students will be shared through the Kindergarten Communication of Learning or Elementary Provincial Report Card. This will be issued on February 10, 2024.

Questions?

Speak to your child’s teacher or principal for more information about their reading.

About the Structured Literacy Multi-Year Plan (SLMYP)

The Structured Literacy Multi-Year Plan (SLMYP) will help all Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) students develop the literacy skills they need to help them succeed in the classroom, and in life.

Learn more about the Structured Literacy Multi-Year Plan (SLMYP).