February 6th, 2025

Reading is a key skill for student success. To support students, the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) uses evidence-based tools to screen the reading skills of students in:

  • Senior Kindergarten
  • Grade 1
  • Grade 2

Early Reading Screening

The Purpose of Early Reader Screening Assessment

Early reading screening helps to:

  • Track students development in early reading skills
  • Identify children who need more support
  • Guide classroom instruction

The results of early reading screening are not used to determine a student’s grades.

Learn more about Early Reading Screening.

Results on Upcoming Elementary Report Cards

The results of the reading screener will be reflected in the Term 1:

  • Kindergarten Communication of Learning
  • Grade 1 to 6 Provincial Report Card

This information will appear for students in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6, although screening is only required for students in Senior Kindergarten to Grade 2.

Understanding the Screening Results

In both of these documents, you will see a box on the second page that includes:

  • Early Reading Screening (ERS) Completed
    • Yes: For students who were screened in Fall 2024
    • No: For students who were not screened due to absence or late enrollment
    • N/A: For Junior Kindergarten students and students in Grades 3 to 6 as screening is only required for Senior Kindergarten to Grade 2
  • Date the screening was completed
  • Whether or not your child met the benchmark in screening

About the Benchmark

If Your Child Met the Benchmark

  • No further screenings will be required during the 2024-2025 school year
  • Your child’s teacher may choose to screen them again
    • Those scores will not be officially reported on the Term 2 report card

If Your Child Did Not Meet the Benchmark

  • Your child will be screened a second time between January 6 and February 14, 2025
  • The second required screening and its scores will be reported on the Term 2:
    • Kindergarten Communication of Learning
    • Grade 1 to 6 Elementary Provincial Report Card

Learning Since Screening

Much classroom instruction, learning and growth has occurred since the screening first occurred in Fall 2024. It is important to recognize that the score you will see on the report card does not necessarily reflect this growth or change. On-going and regular communication with your child’s teacher will give you the most up-to-date information about your child’s literacy skills.

Questions?

If you have questions, please contact your child’s teacher or principal.

Categories: School News