SFUSD Kindergarten Grade Reading Interventions
How do SFUSD teachers identify Kindergarten students who are struggling to read at grade level?
- During the winter, all SFUSD Kindergarten students will take a short reading screener called “DIBELS” (which stands for “Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills”)
- Parents will be notified 15-30 days before the screening, and can opt their child out of the reading screener.
- Kindergarten students’ scores will be provided in a DIBELS Reading Screener Student Report.
- Scoring categories are “Above Benchmark”, “At Benchmark”, “Below Benchmark”, and “Well Below Benchmark”.
- Here is a sample copy of the DIBELS Reading Screener Student Report:
Students in the “Below Benchmark” and “Well Below Benchmark” categories will receive more support in reading from their classroom teacher and School Support Team (SST). The SST develops a plan for “Tier 2” (extra small group help) in reading.
Students receiving Tier 2 support will take the DIBELS Reading Screener again. If students are still not making good progress, the SST updates the plan, which may include moving the student to “Tier 3” (intensive support) in reading
Students receiving Tier 3 support will take the DIBELS Reading Screener again. Depending on the student’s score, the SST may decide to begin a special education referral process, continue the student in Tier 3 intensive support in reading, or exit Tier 3 and return the student to Tier 2 if they are making progress.
Why is SFUSD screening Kindergarten students for reading?
- As required by state law (Ed. Code 53008), SFUSD conducts annual screening for reading difficulties, including dyslexia, for students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade.
- SFUSD is using state-approved reading screeners:
- In Kindergarten, SFUSD uses mClass DIBELS
- In Grades 1 and 2, SFUSD uses Amira [resource 1] [resource 2]