Parent Guide: Understanding Your Child's Reading Screenings

Introduction

Understanding your child’s reading development and assessment is an important part of supporting their educational journey. This guide explains how California schools screen for reading difficulties and what these screenings mean for your child.

Early Childhood Development (Ages 0-5)

First 5 California Resources

First 5 California focuses on the crucial first five years of a child’s life, providing resources and support for:

• Early brain development
• Health and nutrition
• Early literacy and language development
• Social-emotional growth
• School readiness

Early Learning Activities

• Reading together daily
• Singing songs and nursery rhymes
• Playing word and sound games
• Engaging in conversations
• Drawing and early writing activities

The Screening Process

Throughout your child’s education, their school will conduct regular reading assessments to ensure proper skill development. These screenings help identify any reading challenges early, when support is most effective. Elementary and middle school students participate in screenings three times each year, while high school students begin with a comprehensive assessment in ninth grade, followed by monitoring based on individual needs.

What Schools Measure

During elementary years, screenings examine fundamental reading skills, including how well your child:

• Recognizes and names letters
• Understands letter sounds
• Breaks words into smaller sound units
• Reads unfamiliar words
• Comprehends what they read

As students progress to middle and high school, assessments focus more on reading comprehension, speed, accuracy, and understanding of grade-level materials.

Understanding Assessment Results

When your child completes their screening, results indicate whether additional support might be helpful. Strong performance (scoring at or above the 40th percentile) suggests your child is reading at or above grade level expectations. In these cases, regular screening may no longer be necessary, though you can always request continued monitoring if you have concerns.

If screening results indicate some risk signs, your child’s school will conduct additional assessments to better understand their needs. This typically includes checking reading speed and comprehension more thoroughly. Based on these results, teachers will provide extra support during regular classroom instruction and monitor progress regularly.

Understanding IEPs and Special Education Assessments

The IEP Process

1. Initial Request

• Parents can request an evaluation at any time
• Schools must respond within 15 days
• Written parent consent required before testing

2. Comprehensive Evaluation

• Multiple assessments across different areas
• Must be completed within 60 days of consent
• Testing in child's native language when applicable

3. IEP Meeting

• Review of all assessment results
• Development of specific learning goals
• Discussion of accommodations and services
• Parent participation in decision-making

Your Rights During the IEP Process

• Receive copies of all assessments
• Bring advocates or specialists to meetings
• Request independent educational evaluations
• Participate in all decision-making
• Appeal decisions you disagree with

Enhanced Parent Role

Active Participation

1. School Partnership

• Attend all parent-teacher conferences
• Maintain regular communication with teachers
• Join school committees or parent groups
• Volunteer in the classroom when possible

2. Home Support

• Create a consistent reading routine
• Set up a quiet study space
• Monitor homework completion
• Limit screen time
• Encourage independent reading

3. Advocacy

• Keep detailed records of your child's progress
• Document any concerns
• Request meetings when needed
• Learn about your rights and responsibilities

Supporting Reading Development at Home

1. Daily Reading Activities

• Read together for 20-30 minutes
• Discuss stories and ask questions
• Make predictions about plot
• Connect stories to real life
• Visit the library regularly

2. Skill-Building Games

• Word searches
• Rhyming games
• Letter sound activities
• Vocabulary building exercises
• Storytelling activities

3. Technology Resources

• Educational reading apps
• Online reading programs
• Audio books
• Digital libraries

Special Circumstances

For students learning English as an additional language, schools consider both English and home language development in the screening process. Newly arrived students may have modified screening schedules to account for initial language adjustment. Students with learning differences receive appropriate accommodations during assessment, following any existing IEP or 504 plan guidelines.

Maintaining Communication

Regular Check-ins

• Schedule monthly progress updates
• Request data on improvement
• Discuss intervention effectiveness
• Plan next steps together

Documentation

• Keep copies of all assessments
• Track intervention strategies used
• Record meeting notes
• Save email communications

Support Network

• Connect with other parents
• Join parent support groups
• Attend workshops and training
• Build relationships with school staff