Purpose

This plan helps a board screen every young student for reading risk. Screening finds students who need help early. Screening is not a diagnosis.

The Ontario Human Rights Commission recommends screening every student from Kindergarten to Grade 2 at least twice a year. Ontario now requires screening under Policy/Program Memorandum 168. Check your own province's rules before you start.

Board: ________ Plan owner: ________ School year: ________

Phase 1: Prepare (spring and summer)

• Choose a standardized, evidence-based screening tool.
• Confirm which grades you will screen.
• Train screeners on the tool.
• Set up a place to store results securely.
• Draft family letters.

Screening tool chosen: ________ Grades screened: ________

Phase 2: First screening window (fall)

In Ontario, PPM 168 requires the first screen before mid-November. It covers Year 2 of Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 2.

• Send families information before or in the first week of class.
• Screen every student in the target grades.
• Enter results within one week.

Window dates: ________

Phase 3: Act on results

• Sort students into three groups: on track, some risk, high risk.
• Start intervention for students at risk.
• Share results with families.

Intervention start date: ________

Phase 4: Second screening window (winter)

In Ontario, students below benchmark must be screened again by mid-March.

• Rescreen students below benchmark.
• Compare results to the fall.
• Adjust intervention groups.

Window dates: ________

Phase 5: Review (spring)

• Review results by school and grade.
• Report findings to trustees.
• Update this plan for next year.

Roles

Data steps

1. Record each score the day it is collected.
2. Flag students below benchmark.
3. Check data quality before any report.
4. Share school results with principals within two weeks.

Family communication

• Tell families screening is a quick check, not a test of intelligence.
• Tell families screening does not 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.
• Give a name and contact for questions.
• Share what the school will do next.

Family contact email: ________ Family contact phone: ________