Did you know that in the fall of 2022, only 23% of students entering kindergarten were at benchmark? According to our aimswebPlus screening tool that we use in grades K-3, fewer students are coming to school ready.
Our teachers do amazing things, but their work could be even more powerful if more students arrived ready to learn. Parents, families, caregivers, and the community want students to be ready - but sometimes we don't know what to do or how to help!
Enter #matsureads - our community outreach campaign to help us all understand our part in raising literacy achievement in the Mat-Su Valley. Check out our first video about being a 'STAR' parent. More content will be added, and soon you should start to see the #matsureads info around town!
Want to help and become involved? Contact Andrea Everett, Associate Superintendent of Teaching and Learning at andrea.everett@matsuk12.us or 907-746-9212.
What can I do to help?
Information is coming soon!
How do we identify students with reading difficulties?
Teachers have a number of tools available to help identify students with reading difficulties. THIS DOCUMENT outlines those tools, including aimswebPlus and the Shaywitz DyslexiaScreen.
What do I need to know about dyslexia?
During the fall, winter, and spring, the Alaska Reads Act requires that children who score well below average on the screener (aimswebPlus) are also screened for dyslexia. Teachers use a tool called the Shaywitz Dyslexia Screener to determine if a student has risk factors for dyslexia. It is not an additional test that is given to a student, rather, it is a research-proven questionnaire a teacher fills out based on several weeks of observation. It does not diagnose dyslexia, but it does inform teachers, so they can adjust their instructional practice and communicate with parents about what you can do at home.
If your child is in the well below average range, and the Shaywitz Dyslexia Screener indicates they have risk factors for dyslexia, it does not mean your child should automatically be evaluated for a learning disability. Research shows that when students are identified early and receive structured, explicit, systematic instruction, they will learn to read.
If you have questions regarding dyslexia specific to your child, please contact your child's teacher, principal, or the school psychologist.
What are the preschool options in Mat-Su?
More information is coming soon!
Federal Programs Preschool through MSBSD
Child Find and Office of Student Support preschool and early intervention through MSBSD
