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Dear Families,
We are writing to inform you about a key reading assessment for K-2 students this year. We will use a reading difficulties risk screener to check your child's reading skills as required by Senate Bill 114. These brief tests will not diagnose a reading disability, but will help us to:
Identify students at risk of reading difficulties
Develop a support plan to address reading needs
Our district uses a screening tool called Amplify, approved by the California Department Education.
Following the screening assessments, a team at our school will review all students’ results. Families will receive a family report that provides an overview of their child’s results. If your child scores “significantly below benchmarks,” we will work to support your student within our MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) time and monitor their growth throughout the year. After the middle of the year assessment, if your child doesn’t show adequate growth, we will share our support plan to show how we and you can support your child and next steps.
For questions about the early literacy screening screening or concerns, contact your principal. For questions about your child’s testing results, contact your child’s teacher.
Screening is another step that helps students in our district become proficient readers, and we are grateful for the continued support and partnership with iQ Academy families.
With Appreciation,
The Education Services Team
Resources for Parents to Support Reading at Home:
Reading Difficulties Risk Screeners FAQs
Why are students in K–2 being screened for reading?
Early reading skills are the foundation for school success. Research shows that:
Children at risk for reading difficulties can be identified as early as preschool.
90% of students with reading struggles can reach grade level if they get help by 1st grade.
Early screening helps us catch problems early—when they’re easiest to fix.
What reading skills are being checked?
We focus on the key building blocks for learning to read, including:
Phonemic awareness (hearing and playing with sounds in words)
Phonics (connecting letters and sounds)
Fluency (reading smoothly and with expression)
What will my child be asked to do?
Kindergarten: tests could include letter name fluency, phonemic segmentation fluency, word reading fluency
1st graders: tests could include letter name fluency, phonemic segmentation fluency, word reading fluency, and oral reading fluency
2nd/3rd grade*: tests could include oral reading fluency, nonsense word fluency, and word reading fluency
How often will screening happen?
All students are screened at the beginning of the school year or upon enrollment.
Students who need extra help may be checked more often to see how they’re doing.
How long do these screeners take?
Students are assessed in multiple skills. Most activities or assessments take about one minute. They’re quick snapshots—like a thermometer for reading—that show how your child is doing with a specific skill.
How are the results used?
Teachers and school teams review the results and use them to plan support for each student as part of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). This ensures every child gets the right help to grow as a reader.
If my child is “at risk,” does that mean they have a disability?
Not necessarily. “At risk” just means your child may need extra reading support. Many children improve quickly with interventions. If they’re not making progress, the school team will add more support and talk with you about next steps.
Does “at risk” mean my child needs an IEP?
No. Screeners identify students needing literacy support, they don't diagnose disabilities. An IEP (Individualized Education Program) is considered only after sustained support hasn't led to sufficient progress.
What if my child is learning English?
We understand that literacy development for English learners is a unique and complex process. Our team is committed to closely monitoring your child's progress in both reading and English language acquisition to ensure they receive appropriately tailored support.
What can we do to help at home?
Talk and read aloud together daily.
Ask questions about the story to help with comprehension.
Play word games: that focus on sounds (rhyming, initial sounds) and word parts.
Point out new words and discuss their meaning.
Listen to audiobooks to increase exposure to language and story structures.
Regular school attendance is vital for consistent learning & reading development.
Where can I learn more?
Check out these great resources for families:
Reading 101: A Guide for Parents | Reading Rockets
Families and Caregivers - The Reading League
National Center on Improving Literacy (NCIL)
Reading Difficulties Risk Screener (Information
What if my student is already receiving Special Education Supports?
If your child is already receiving special education services, these results will be shared with your students IEP team, including the general education and special education teachers. If any additional support is needed in the classroom, the IEP team can use the results of these assessments to assist in planning appropriate accommodations or goals for your child.
Contact Us
Anvi Backus- TK-2 Curriculum Specialist
Sandy Michaels- 3-5 Curriculum Specialist
Tracy Scoggins- Elementary Assistant Principal
Samantha Gonzalez- Lead Student Support Specialist
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