Kindergarten Screening
Step 1 – Data Review
Beginning in the fall, we work with teachers to collect data on all BSD Kindergarten students. Multiple data points are collected and analyzed to determine Advanced Learning needs. Data to be collected and analyzed for each Kindergarten student may include the following:
- TRC (Text Reading Comprehension)
- Literacy Skills in Chinese or Spanish Star for students in Dual Language or Immersion Programs
- Observational data
- WAKids State Assessment (TS GOLD)
Parents of private/home-school Kindergartners will need to apply for screening. Parents will be sent an Academic Data Form to give to their child’s teacher. Upon completion, the teacher must return the completed form via email directly to the Advanced Learning Department by Friday, November 14, 2022. Students who consistently perform well-beyond grade level in literacy and/or math will be moved into Step 2 – Notification/Further Review (see below). Parents may submit their child’s most recent report card(s) and any official reading, writing and math achievement data to our office for consideration. The deadline to apply was Monday, October 31, 2022 by 4:00 pm.
The data collected for all Kindergarten students is part of the screening process. The Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) objectively reviews school performance data of all Kindergarten students to determine those who may benefit from specialized academic instruction. The results are utilized to determine if there is a need for further review for possible inclusion in advanced learning domain-specific services. Appeals are not accepted for students under Step 1 – Data Review.
Step 2 – Notification/Further Review
In March, parents of students whose data indicates consistent performance well-beyond grade level in reading and/or math will be notified and asked to provide authorization for their child to participate in additional review. This may include but is not limited to:
- Observational Rating Scales
- Reading Data: TRC (Text Reading Comprehension) & STAR Reading Assessment
- Writing Data: BSD Performance Task1, Observation and Samples from the BSD Classroom
- Math Data: Unit Assessment2, BSD Performance Task3
- The Writing Performance Task is a task where students are asked to write a short paragraph in response to a prompt.
- The Unit Assessment is a math test, given in the student’s class, at the end of a unit of learning.
- The Math Performance Task measures a student’s ability to apply previously learned knowledge and skills while utilizing their problem solving ability to reach a deeper understanding of the concept.
Step 3 – Decision
The Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) will analyze all available student performance data and determine if the student is in need of services. Students demonstrating consistent academic performance well-beyond grade level expectation in literacy and/or math will be identified for Domain-Specific Services at their neighborhood or choice school. Results will be shared with parents by mid-June. Appeals are accepted only at Step 3 – Decision.