Dear Neary Families, 

I am writing to share information about one of the ways your child in grades K-5 will be assessed in reading this year. Our teachers have many ways to check your child’s reading development and growth, including an early literacy universal screening assessment. Early literacy universal screening assessments are brief tests that provide information about your child’s early reading skills. Screening makes it possible to see if a student is at risk of developing reading difficulties, including risk of dyslexia. Screening does not diagnose dyslexia or other disabilities, but it does help us understand which students may need additional support to be successful readers. We are required to assess students in grades K-3 at least twice per year, consistent with Massachusetts regulation 603 CMR 28.03(1)(f). 

Our district uses screening assessments called Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills, 8th Edition (DIBELS) and Acadience RAN. These are two of several screening assessments approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Your child will be assessed three times during the school year. It typically takes five to ten minutes to complete both assessments. The tentative schedule for this school year is shown below.

Following the screening assessment, a team at our school will review all students’ results. If your child scores “significantly below benchmark,” we will contact you within 30 school days of testing to discuss how we can support your child. 

Please reach out if you would like additional information.

• For questions about the early literacy universal screening, contact me at kvalenti@nsboro.k12.ma.us.

• For questions about your child’s testing results, contact Neary's reading specialist, Dave Lang, at dlang@nsboro.k12.ma.us.

Screening is another step that helps students at our school become proficient readers, and we are grateful for your continued support and partnership. 

Respectfully,