Saskatchewan students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 will participate in provincial reading screeners starting this month as part of the government’s Actions to Improve Early Literacy initiative.
The screeners are brief, evidence-based assessments developed by internationally recognized literacy experts and aligned with Saskatchewan curricula. They’re designed to help teachers identify students who may need additional support with foundational reading skills.
“Strong reading skills open doors for students throughout their education and beyond,” Education Minister Everett Hindley said in a release. “By providing provincial reading screeners and expanding supports for teachers, we are ensuring Saskatchewan’s youngest learners receive the high-quality literacy instruction they need to become confident readers.”
The assessments will allow educators to spot students who might need extra help and respond quickly with targeted supports when they can have the greatest impact.
For families on the Saskatchewan side of Lloydminster, the screeners mean earlier identification of reading challenges and faster access to intervention. The program follows community literacy initiatives already underway in the Border City.
What teachers are getting
The Ministry of Education is providing resources to support implementation, including instructional videos for educators for each provincial screener and intervention materials in both English and French for students who require additional support.
The Actions to Improve Early Literacy initiative includes curriculum renewal, professional learning opportunities for teachers, reading screeners and intervention supports. The coordinated efforts are meant to enhance classroom literacy practices and ensure students receive timely, targeted interventions.
The program comes as Saskatchewan teachers continue to advocate for classroom supports and resources.
More information on the early literacy initiative is available at saskatchewan.ca/earlyliteracy.
