How to use this checklist

Complete it as a team. Include a superintendent, a special education lead and a literacy lead.

Rate each item and write the number beside the box. Use 0 for not in place, 1 for partly in place and 2 for fully in place.

Board: ________ Date completed: ________ Completed by: ________

1. Shared understanding

• The board uses one written definition of dyslexia across all schools.
• Staff know dyslexia is a word reading and spelling difficulty, as the International Dyslexia Association describes it.
• Staff know schools screen and observe. They do not diagnose.
• Staff know who can diagnose. Diagnosis is made by a licensed professional, usually a psychologist or psychological associate. In Quebec, a speech-language pathologist (orthophoniste) can also diagnose. Rules differ by province.

Section score: ________ / 8

2. Screening

• Every student from Kindergarten to Grade 2 is screened at least twice a year. The Ontario Human Rights Commission recommends this in its Right to Read report.
• The board uses standardized, evidence-based screening tools.
• Each school has a named screening lead.
• Results go to families in plain language.

Section score: ________ / 8

3. Core instruction

• Early reading teaching is direct and systematic.
• A clear scope and sequence covers sounds, letters, spelling patterns and meaning.
• Classroom materials match that sequence.

Section score: ________ / 6

4. Intervention

• Every school offers an evidence-based reading intervention.
• Students start intervention within weeks of screening, not months.
• Progress is checked at least every six weeks.
• Intervention funding is stable from year to year.

Section score: ________ / 8

5. Accommodations and technology

• Text-to-speech and speech-to-text are available on student devices.
• Accommodations do not depend on a formal diagnosis.
• Staff know how to set up the tools.

Section score: ________ / 6

6. Staff learning

• All K to 3 teachers have training in structured literacy.
• New teachers receive that training in their first year.
• Principals know what good reading instruction looks like.

Section score: ________ / 6

7. Data and reporting

• The board tracks screening results by school and by grade.
• The board reports early reading results publicly each year.
• Data is reviewed for gaps between student groups.

Section score: ________ / 6

Total and next steps

Total score: ________ / 48

Lowest scoring section: ________

Top three priorities for this year:

Lead for each priority: ________

Date to review progress: ________