K-8 Universal Screenings

Below, we have gathered our most current Universal Screening data for you. We encourage you to use this school-wide data as a part of the picture when you look at your student’s individual data. The data we are sharing comes from our Universal Screenings. Things to reflect on:

  • Is my student’s performance in line with that of their peers?
  • Is my student’s performance higher or lower than the average student?

If you have questions about your student’s performance or want to discuss a support plan, reach out to your student’s teacher.

Why do we screen?

Universal screenings are typically administered three times a year: fall, winter and spring.  These screenings are a consistent check of student performance levels in a specific skill or content area.   They are an excellent way to determine if students are meeting or not meeting grade-level expectations for a specific domain and how much growth has been made. Educational professionals can use this information to remediate and extend the learning outcomes for students who perform below or above expectations.

These are not “high-stakes” tests and the results are not factored into student grades. The scores are just one piece of a student’s academic profile and are used in conjunction with many other assessments and performances.

What happens based on the assessment results?

The results from an appropriate universal screening will show which students performed on average, above average and below average based on either grade level or age-level indicators. It is helpful to understand that these screenings produce norm-level data, which requires that students be compared to each other based on either grade level or age. Norm-level data will always sort based on the average, above average and below average performance of students.

We utilize assessment results to inform instruction.  Our teachers take the data collected to form instructional groups. Students with similar instructional needs are provided curriculum and opportunities to practice skills in the most appropriate and effective way possible.  We are aware that large diagnostic tests like iReady are one piece of information. One test does not demonstrate the entire picture of a student’s knowledge or capabilities, so teachers also take into account smaller, more frequent, and informal evaluations that occur naturally throughout the instructional process.

How can I learn more?

Check out these documents from AimswebPlus (Pearson), and iReady (Curriculum Associates) about these products:

What do I do if I have concerns about my student’s academic performance?

If you have concerns about your student’s academic performance, the first step is to reach out to your student’s teacher.  There may already be systems in place to help support your student of which you are unaware.  As teachers identify deficits during your child’s learning process, this information along with any interventions happening in the school will be shared in a timely manner.  You are also welcome to contact your school level principal with other concerns.  

It may also be helpful for you to look for more information on our school website (Parent Resources → MTSS) to learn more about the processes we have in place to identify and support struggling students as a school.  We utilize a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) as a framework to maximize success for all students. You can also contact Kristin Buff, our school’s MTSS Academic Coordinator, with questions or concerns.

Please contact any of the following people with questions:

Universal Screenings

What assessments are given at IC Imagine?

In Lower and Middle School, our teachers are assessing student learning constantly. This process includes teacher observations, formal and informal assessments, as well as universal screenings. These universal screenings are given three times a year.

Fall Winter Spring
K Kindergarten Readiness Assessment, AimswebPlus, Panorama AimswebPlus, Panorama AimswebPlus, Panorama
1st AimswebPlus, Panorama AimswebPlus, Panorama AimswebPlus, Panorama
2nd iReady, Panorama iReady, Panorama  iReady, Panorama
3rd – 8th Grades iReady, Panorama iReady, Panorama iReady, Panorama

The screenings used are research-based and provide a snapshot of student performance in each of the National Reading Panel’s 5 big ideas of reading (Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension). These assessments also provide an effective way to screen for research supported dyslexia risk factors yet are rigorous enough to identify any child who may be struggling in any reading or math domain.

Updated 8.16.2022