Early Literacy Screening is a short assessment given to all K–2 students. It helps us understand each child’s reading skills, identify students who may need extra support and provide early help when needed. It may also indicate if a student could be at risk for dyslexia.
Students take a literacy screener (such as STAR) each year as part of Kennewick’s Assessment Calendar.

What we look at:

• Hearing sounds in words (phonological awareness)
• Working with individual sounds (phonemic awareness)
• Letter-sound knowledge
• How quickly students can name familiar items (rapid naming)

Rapid naming is assessed in the winter of kindergarten and 1st grade, following state recommendations.

What this means for your child:
These screenings help teachers understand what your child knows and where they may need support so instruction can be tailored to their needs.
Please note: This screening does not diagnose dyslexia.
 

Dyslexia is a brain-based difference in how students process language, especially the sounds in words.

Students with dyslexia may have difficulty with:

• Reading and spelling
• Connecting letters and sounds
• Learning and remembering new vocabulary
• Understanding what they read
• Writing their thoughts clearly

What dyslexia is NOT:

• Not related to intelligence
• Not a vision problem
• Not caused by lack of effort, interest or reading at home
• Not the result of poor instruction

Kennewick School District uses a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to provide the right level of instruction and support for each student. This helps ensure all students receive high-quality literacy instruction and the support they need to become successful readers.

School teams regularly review assessment data to see how students are progressing. Based on this information, they adjust instruction and provide additional support when needed.

If a student shows signs of difficulty in reading, including possible characteristics of dyslexia, the team will create a targeted support plan, provide focused instruction and monitor progress to make sure the support is working.

In Kennewick School District, multilingual learners receive core instruction in foundational reading skills and additional support as needed. 

• All multilingual learners participate in universal literacy screening (such as STAR) to monitor progress.  
• In alignment with OSPI guidance, students in grades K–2 are considered for dyslexia-related screening as they develop English proficiency, measured by WIDA.  
• By the end of 2nd grade, students who have received English instruction since kindergarten may participate in additional screening measures to support early identification.  
• Students in dual language programs may receive literacy instruction and screening in both English and Spanish.  

This approach ensures equitable access to instruction, early identification and support for all learners.