K–5 Universal Screening Process
Dear Families,
We are writing to share information about the way students in Grades K-5 are assessed in reading and math. Our teachers use many sources to gather information on your child’s reading and math development, including, but not limited to, our universal screening assessment.
We are required to assess students’ early literacy skills in grades K-3 at least twice per year consistent with Massachusetts regulation 603 CMR 28.03(1)(f). Here in Weston, we use a universal screener three times per year to help us monitor and respond to the progress of all learners.
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.
Our District’s Universal Screening Assessment
Weston Public Schools uses a screening assessment called STAR Renaissance. It is one of several screening assessments approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). All students in Grades K-5 will be assessed three times during the school year for both math and reading. It typically takes between 15-20 minutes to complete this assessment. The assessment schedule for this school year is shown below.
| Grade Level | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| K-5 | Oct. 23 – Nov 3* | Jan. 29-Feb 8 | May 20-May 31 |
*Fall data in Kindergarten is used for benchmarking purposes only. Official screening in Kindergarten begins with the winter assessments.
Family Communication
Caregivers will receive a family report that provides an overview of their child’s results in reading and math for each screening period. Following the screening assessment, a team at our school will review all students’ results. In accordance with the Massachusetts Early Literacy DESE Guidelines, if your child’s composite score for screening falls into the at risk range, we will contact you within 30 school days of testing, to discuss how we can support your child.
Additional Information
- To learn more about STAR Renaissance assessments, including information on individual subtests, click here.
- For questions about the early literacy universal screening requirements, contact your child’s school principal.
Screening is another step that helps students at our school become proficient readers and mathematicians, and we are grateful for the continued support and partnership with families.
Best,
Dr. J. Kimo Carter, Asst. Superintendent for Teaching & Learning
Erin Maguire, Country School Principal
Shannon Dickerson, Woodland School Principal
Dr. Dan Green, Field School Principal
Donna Guzman, English Language Arts Curriculum Specialist, K-5
Tracy Manousaridis, Mathematics Curriculum Specialist, K-5
