Texas Education Code §38.003 mandates that kindergarten students be screened at the end of the school year. In scheduling the kindergarten screener, districts and charter schools should consider the following questions:
• Has adequate time for instruction been provided during the school year?
• Has adequate time been provided to compile data prior to the end of the school year?
• How will the timing of the administration of the screener fit in with the timing of other required assessments?
• Has sufficient time been provided to inform parents in writing of the results of the reading instrument and whether the student is at risk for dyslexia or other reading difficulties?
• Has adequate time been provided for educators to offer appropriate interventions to the student?
• Has sufficient time been provided for decision making regarding next steps in the screening process?
Texas Education Code §38.003 does not explicitly state when first grade students must be screened. The SBOE, through approval of the rule which requires adherence to this handbook (TAC §74.28), has determined that students in first grade must be screened no later than the middle of the school year. Screening of first-grade students can begin anytime in the fall as the teacher deems appropriate.