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Universal Screening K-3 Literacy

Pequannock Township School District is committed to improving literacy outcomes for all students, especially implementing best practices related to early reading instruction and assessment. 

New Requirements for the 2025-2026 School Year

In August 2024, Governor Phil Murphy signed P.L. 2024, c.52 into law, reinforcing the State’s commitment to improving literacy outcomes for students. This legislation builds on recent revisions to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS), dyslexia legislation, and the New Jersey Tiered System of Supports (NJTSS), initiating a broader effort to refine instructional literacy practices based on robust research in reading and learning.

The legislation establishes a comprehensive plan to ensure that young learners benefit from evidence-based literacy instruction by requiring districts to:

  • Administer literacy screeners twice a year for students grades Kindergarten through grade third (K–3).
    • Pequannock Elementary Schools are using the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS8) as our universal screener for K-3 students.
  • Provide support for students consistent with NJTSS and Intervention and Referral Services.
  • Notify families within 30 days after the close of the screening period.
  • Report screening data to the NJDOE.
  • Provide professional development to preschool through grade six staff including:
    • Library media specialists
    • Professionals who support multilingual learners (MLs) and students with disabilities
    • Reading and early literacy specialists
    • Speech-language specialists

In addition to the above screening process, our teachers utilize a variety of other assessment data from iReady Diagnostics and personalized learning platforms, the Developmental Reading Assessments (DRA), and classroom activities in order to inform instruction to support all learners. 

Below you will find more information related to our universal screening process.  Should you have any questions related to this process, please contact our English-Language Arts Supervisor, Ms. Alyssa Bellardino, alyssa.bellardino@pequannock.org.