Universal Screener Parent Notification

Dear Parents and Guardians:

The Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) School Board adopted a universal screener assessment for use with all elementary school students in kindergarten through grade 6. The universal screener assessment includes a reading test and a mathematics test. Students in kindergarten will receive screening for reading only. Students in grades 1-6 will receive screening for both mathematics and reading. 

The purpose of this assessment is to identify students who may have gaps in foundational literacy and mathematics skills. Based on universal screener results, some students may require an additional assessment to further diagnose the specific learning areas that may need support. The universal screener reading test, together with any necessary follow-up diagnostic assessments, also fulfills state testing expectations for primary students. 

The universal screener and any necessary follow-up assessments will be given at the beginning of the school year. Depending on grade level and previous screener performance, students may receive screening again in the winter and/or in the spring. Schools set the specific dates for testing.

Tuesday, September 22         Reading for grades 1-6

Tuesday, September 29         Math for grades 1-6

Tuesday, October 6                Reading for kindergarten

Additional information, including a short video, about the universal screener in FCPS can be found at this webpage: https://www.fcps.edu/node/33718. If you have further questions about this assessment, please contact your child's teacher or Ellen Colter, assistant principal, as egcolter@fcps.edu.

Sincerely,

Renee Miller

Principal