Understanding Universal Literacy Screening

New Jersey passed new legislation (P.L. 2024, c.52) to ensure that all students receive strong literacy instruction. These screenings help schools understand how students develop key reading skills and identify those needing extra support. By using research-based tools, schools can provide timely interventions and improve reading instruction for all children.

At South Harrison Elementary, we use an Early Literacy Screener called DIBELS (Dynamic Indicator of Basic Early Literacy Skills)

Why Literacy Screening Matters:

Strong reading and writing skills are essential for student success in school and beyond. Research shows that children who struggle with literacy early on may continue to face challenges later. 

Literacy screening helps: 

• Identify students who may need extra help.

• Provide targeted instruction to strengthen reading and writing skills. 

• Ensure every child gets the support they need to succeed. 

How Literacy Screening Works: According to the legislation, schools must conduct literacy screenings at least twice a year, at the beginning and the middle of the school year. However, school districts may administer the literacy screener a third time at the end of the year. These assessments measure important literacy skills on letter naming, phonemic awareness, phonics and decoding, oral reading fluency, and comprehension. When supporting these literacy skills at home, parents and guardians may want to take these questions into consideration: 

• Can the student name both uppercase and lowercase letters? (letter naming) 

• Can the student identify the first, middle, and last sound in words like cat (ccc…aah..ttt)? (phonemic awareness) 

• Can the student sound out written words? (phonics and decoding) 

• Can the student read stories quickly, smoothly, and accurately? (oral reading fluency) 

• Can the student understand and gain meaning from texts, such as filling in the blank in a sentence or writing about it? (comprehension)

After Screening:

Parents and guardians will receive reports explaining the results and recommendations for additional support based on the screening outcomes. Educators will work closely with families to ensure the right interventions and supports are in place to help students succeed. 

Additional Information: For more details, parents and guardians may reach out to their child’s teacher or school administrator. The full guidance can be found on the NJDOE’s Learning Equity and Academic Recovery website. Together, we can build a strong foundation for a child's literacy success!