Kindergarten screening is a way to gauge a child’s current functioning and growth. The benefit of completing kindergarten screening is it provides the school with an estimate of your child’s current skill level, provides information regarding areas of strength and needs, and assists in planning interventions if necessary.
Q: What areas of development are included in and who conducts kindergarten screening?
A: The areas of development that will be assessed during kindergarten screening include communication and language skills and pre-academic skills such as counting, naming colors and shapes and letter identification.
Kindergarten screening will be conducted by one of the district’s kindergarten teachers and an elementary speech-language therapist. They will each meet individually with your child for 10-15 minutes.
Q: What is done with the results of kindergarten screening?
A: Results of kindergarten screening are important for the elementary school team who will work with your child in the fall. The information gleaned from the screening will help the team create classes that are balanced in terms of academic strengths and needs, as well as gender and other areas. Individual and group results are important because it helps the school prepare for incoming class’s needs.
Q: What should I tell my child about kindergarten screening?
A: It is most helpful when children are excited about coming for a visit. Share with your child that he/she is going to meet some friendly people in school who will ask them to count, name letters, shapes and write their name. Consider pairing the screening with a visit to one of the elementary school playgrounds. It is often not beneficial to tell children that they are having a test at school or that they have to do well on kindergarten screening. The more at ease the child and adults are about kindergarten screening, the more likely that the experience will be easier and more fun for everyone.
Q: How should I prepare my child for kindergarten screening?
A: No need to prepare at all! We will support all children exactly where they are. This screening simply provides us with information to make sure students are carefully placed in a class and identify any child who may need some additional support.