Dyslexia Screener

The MAP Reading Fluency Dyslexia Screener is a test type that can identify when students' performance demonstrates possible risk factors for dyslexia or other reading difficulties. The screener collects data using Foundational Skills measures and a Rapid Automatized Naming (RAN) measure, then uses a predictive model to flag students.

Important: A flag on these reports is not a diagnosis of dyslexia or of a reading disability; rather, it is an indicator that the student's performance suggests possible risk factors for dyslexia or other reading difficulty.

Dyslexia Screener Basics

Purpose Screens for possible risk factors for dyslexia or other reading difficulties
Grade levels K–3
Test content Foundational Skills and Rapid Automatized Naming (RAN); identifies students with possible risk factors for dyslexia or other reading difficulties
Administration types Onsite and remote
Frequency Up to three times per year
Test time About 20 minutes to assess an entire class simultaneously
Accessibility Audio instruction, color contrast adjustment, and magnification
Technology required Devices and headsets for each student
Language English only

 

Continue reading or select a link to jump to a specific section about the Dyslexia Screener.

Dyslexia screener defined: What is a dyslexia screener vs. a diagnostic assessment?

A screener is generally defined as a brief universal assessment used to identify students who may need follow-up. A diagnostic, usually used for a subset of students, is a deeper-dive assessment or evaluation that is focused on why and how the student struggles.

The MAP Reading Fluency Dyslexia Screener is a screener only. It is not meant to diagnose dyslexia or other reading difficulties.

Comparison Between Screener and Diagnostic

  Screener Diagnostic
Description

Brief measure that quickly identifies where students are in various academic areas

Typically, universal in nature to identify students who may need additional follow-up

Deeper-dive assessment or evaluation

Used to understand why and how a student is struggling in a particular area or multiple areas
Example MAP Reading Fluency Dyslexia Screener In-depth analysis by an educator trained in dyslexia, like a school psychologist

What is included in the Dyslexia Screener test type?

In the Dyslexia Screener, students will complete the Foundational Skills assessment and the Rapid Automatized Naming (RAN) measure. To compare the Dyslexia Screener to the other MAP Reading Fluency Test Types, refer to the table Test Segments and Skills Assessed in Each Test Type.

Foundational Skills

This section tests students on phonological awareness, phonics and word recognition, language comprehension, and sentence reading fluency.

Note: The Dyslexia Screener does not include any oral reading passages. If you need oral reading data for your students taking the Dyslexia Screener, you should assign the Adaptive Oral Reading - Passages Only Benchmark test subtype to complete at a later date.

Example of Foundational Skills measure:

Rapid Automatized Naming (RAN)

The Rapid Automatized Naming measure, or RAN, assesses a student’s naming speed, by timing them on retrieving and saying the name for a simple object shown on screen. For students who struggle with foundational reading skills, low naming speed may be an additional risk factor for difficulties in developing reading fluency.

Important: RAN is used only as a cognitive screening measure—it is not a literacy skill or part of any standards. Research does not support the effectiveness of teaching or practicing RAN. In fact, the RAN measure is designed with the idea that students have not practiced at all and will be ineffective if used otherwise.

Example of a screen from the RAN measure:

Assigning the Dyslexia Screener

You may choose to assign the Dyslexia Screener as one of the test types in the Assignments tab.

Note: The Dyslexia Screener includes foundational skills measures, so there is no need to assign an additional Benchmark Foundational Skills test. However, if you need oral reading data for your students who are taking the Dyslexia Screener, you should assign the Adaptive Oral Reading - Passages Only test subtype to complete at a later date.

Dyslexia Screener results

Dyslexia Screener outcomes are available in the Screener Outcomes report. Depending on what type of data you’d like to review, this Dyslexia Reports by Level of Data table can help you to choose which report to consult. For teachers, we recommend starting with the class-level Screener Outcomes Report and using that as a jumping-off point to access student-level data. To learn more about Dyslexia Screener results refer to Results from the Dyslexia Screener.

Note: Students’ results from the Foundational Skills measures within the dyslexia screener are also available in the Benchmark Matrix report.

Dyslexia Reports by Level of Data

Level of Data Recommended Report
District Term Summary Report—for administrators only
Class Screener Outcomes Report—recommended starting point for teachers
Individual student Individual Student Report

Learn more about dyslexia

Check out the dyslexia series on the NWEA blog—Teach. Learn. Grow.—to learn more about dyslexia, screening, and intervention.