Kindergarten Screening Information

M.S.A.D. #5's Kindergarten Screening Information

DIAL - 3 Developmental Indicators for the Assessment of Learning - 3 The DIAL-3 is an individually administered screening test designed to identify young children in need of further diagnostic assessment or curricular modification.    DIAL-3 is a 20-30 minute un-timed assessment administered by a team of professional teaching staff.   The test consists of 5 screening areas: 1.   Motor Ability 2.  Language 3.  Self Help 4.  Concept 5.  Social Development The DIAL-3 was standardized in 1 981-83 on a national sample of 2,447 children, taking into consideration gender, race, geographic location, size of community and chronological age.   The norms were reanalyzed in 1990 by the American Guidance Service and standardized again from 1995-1997. The results from the DIAL-3 screening will be reported as: A.  The child appears to be developing in a satisfactory manner, and no     serious difficulty is foreseen. B.  The child's development appears to be delayed when compared with those of the same age group, and more assessment if recommended. C.  The child appears to be developing in an advanced manner when compared with students of the same age group. Students will hand carry a screening form to each assessment station. The examiner at each station will ask the student to complete a series of tasks. When the examiner observes the student's response and there are no concerns, the student will be sent to the next station. When the examiner observes the student's response and there are concerns regarding the response, the examiner will write his/her initials beside the area they are screening. The screening coordinator will review and sign each student's form. Students who indicate a need for referral will be referred by the coordinator to the Special Educator of the students' building. All students' screening forms will be placed in their cumulative file. Students will hand carry a screening form to each assessment station. The examiner at each station will ask the student to complete a series of tasks. When the examiner observes the student's response and there are no concerns, the student will be sent to the next station. When the examiner observes the student's response and there are concerns regarding the response, the examiner will write his/her initials beside the area they are screening. The screening coordinator will review and sign each student's form. Students who indicate a need for referral will be referred by the coordinator to the Special Educator of the students' building. All students' screening forms will be placed in their cumulative file. Students will hand carry a screening form to each assessment station. The examiner at each station will ask the student to complete a series of tasks. When the examiner observes the student's response and there are no concerns, the student will be sent to the next station. When the examiner observes the student's response and there are concerns regarding the response, the examiner will write his/her initials beside the area they are screening. The screening coordinator will review and sign each student's form. Students who indicate a need for referral will be referred by the coordinator to the Special Educator of the students' building. All students' screening forms will be placed in their cumulative file.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 1.       What happens if a student is absent on the day of screening? * * A make-up day will be established t o screen students who were absent. 2.       If a student arrives at school with a screening test that was administered by someone else, such as a private nursery school, do they still have to participate in screening? **Yes. Public school must complete their own individual screening. 3.       What about the student who was in Early-Kindergarten last year and was screened last year, do they have to be screened again? **Technically the students do not have to participate in a second screening. However, the screening activities will be seen by the students as a fun activity and no one will want to be left out, so unless there is a parental request not to screen, all students in the class will participate. 4.       What can I tell a parent who asks questions about the assessment instrument being used? **The district is currently using the DIAL-3 as the major assessment instrument. A brief description of the DIAL-3 can be found in this booklet and may be copied and shared with parents.