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Pequannock to screen K'3 students for early literacy; district prepares for adaptive state tests and mentoring plan update
Summary
Curriculum staff announced universal K'3 literacy screening using DIBELS, parent outreach and staff training plans; administrators also discussed upcoming adaptive state assessments, a revised mentoring plan and the Freedom to Read Act review process.
Pequannock Township School District curriculum staff on Sept. 2 described plans to implement universal K'3 early-literacy screening, prepare staff for changes to statewide assessments and update the district's mentoring plan.
Anne Marie (Curriculum/Instruction) told the board "All students in K to 3 need to be screened for literacy" using DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills), a short assessment the district will administer multiple times per year. She said the district will inform parents of screening results within 30 days and will offer a parent night to explain reports and next steps.
Why it matters: Early literacy screening is designed to identify foundational skill gaps (phonics, phonological awareness, letter naming fluency) so teachers can target instruction and parents can be informed. Administrators said they will provide training to help teachers interpret and act on the data.
Assessment updates and mentoring plan
- State assessments: Curriculum staff reported that the New Jersey assessments (NJGPA and NJSLA) will adopt adaptive formats for ELA and math in spring 2026. The district expects a field test between Oct. 27 and Nov. 15 for the adaptive format and plans staff training in October.
- Mentoring plan: Staff said a revised three-year mentoring plan will be brought to the Sept. 15 agenda for board approval following staff review.
Freedom to Read Act and materials challenges
Curriculum staff also began work on updating the district's materials-challenge procedures to reflect recent guidance under the Freedom to Read Act. Each building will operate a review committee, and curriculum supervisors will coordinate the process, the board was told.
Ending
Administrators said they would schedule parent information sessions, finalize the mentoring plan for board action on Sept. 15, and provide more details on adaptive-assessment field testing after state guidance is received.
