Indiana Code (IC) 20-35.5 requires schools to administer a universal screener to all kindergarten, first, and second grade students annually to identify students who may be “at some risk” or “at risk” for characteristics of dyslexia. This early identification of students who are not on track to be proficient readers allows for targeted support as early as possible. Additionally, starting with the 2025-2026 school year, IC 20-32-5.1-17 requires IDOE to procure a preferred universal screener. IDOE invited all vendors on the current universal screener list to submit for consideration and convened multiple stakeholder groups to review materials and confirm alignment with evaluation criteria, including legislative requirements, foundational reading skills, data analysis guidance, and school support. Acadience Reading K–6, formerly known as DIBELS NEXT was selected as Indiana’s preferred universal screener. At St. John our Title 1 teaching partners utilize DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) NEXT as per IDOE recommended guidance in screening kindergarten through second grade students who may be “at some risk” or “at risk” for characteristics of dyslexia. The teacher also uses other tools including Rapid Automized Naming (RAN), Words Their Way (WTW), Phonological Awareness Screening Testing (PAST), and MA Rooney. This school year, our Title 1 teacher completed screening on all kindergarten through second grade students and one third grade student (25 students total). The teacher then administered the Level 1 Diagnostic Screener to the students who had “some risk or showed at risk” for characteristics of dyslexia: Four Kindergartners, one first grader, and one second grader (six students total).
