What is a Literacy Evaluation and Does My Child Need One?

As a parent, it’s hard to know what to do when your child is struggling to read. It may be time to consider a literacy evaluation, which can be a powerful tool in unveiling the unique narrative of your child's reading journey. But, what exactly is a literacy evaluation and how do you know if your child really needs one?

What is a Literacy Evaluation?

Think of a literacy evaluation as a snapshot of your child's reading abilities. The goal of a literacy evaluation is to assess a child's literacy skills, identify potential challenges, and ensure the child receives the necessary support and interventions to become a proficient reader and writer. Results from a literacy evaluation also help educators understand your child’s unique strengths and weaknesses.

A comprehensive literacy evaluation looks at all aspects of literacy: oral language, phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency.

Key components of a literacy evaluation:

  • Writing,

  • Reading comprehension,

  • Assessment of reading and writing behaviors,

  • Assessment of literacy-related disabilities, and

  • Parent and teacher input.

Read What Are the Key Components of a Literacy Evaluation for more information on this topic.

Common assessments used during a literacy evaluation include: WAIT, GORT, and CTOPP. You can learn more about these evaluation tools by watching the full webinar, below.

There are two options for securing a comprehensive literacy evaluation: (1) The evaluation could be completed by the school district or (2) The evaluation could be completed by a private evaluator. When the district completes an evaluation, it is done free of charge. When you seek a private evaluation, then you incur the cost, which can be thousands of dollars. 

Nine Signs Your Child Should Have a Literacy Evaluation

1. Struggling in school, despite support

If your child is struggling in school, despite extra support such as tiered intervention, then the child may need to be evaluated. 

2. Delayed milestones

Is your child meeting reading milestones? For example, you may have a child who is in first or second grade and does not confidently know letter sounds.

Literacy evaluations can assess whether your child is meeting age-appropriate literacy milestones. If your child falls behind, it may indicate developmental delays or other issues that need attention.

For a list of reading milestones by age and grade, read Reading-Related Skills Adapted from Overcoming Dyslexia by Dr. Sally Shaywitz.

3. Poor academic performance 

Do your child’s grades and report card reflect how you feel they should be doing or what the teacher expects them to do? Poor academic performance is another reason to initiate an evaluation. When a child struggles with reading and writing, it can impact their academic performance in other subject areas, as well. 

4. Persistent writing and spelling issues

Does your child consistently misspell common words that you know they have had on their spelling list since kindergarten? Does it seem like your child just is not “getting it” when it comes to spelling? This is a sign your child may need a literacy evaluation.

5. Complaints of reading challenges

Does your child complain every night when it’s time to complete his or her homework? Do they argue with you when it is time to complete a reading assignment? This is another reason to seek out an evaluation. 

6. Behavioral or emotional signs

Does your child exhibit signs of anxiety or other emotional signals around reading and/or spelling? A child who is struggling may demonstrate behavioral issues in class like refusing to do an activity, they may claim they weren’t paying attention, or they may become a “class clown” to cover for the fact that the work has become too difficult for them.

7. Parental concerns or teacher concerns

Do you have concerns about your child’s reading or spelling? Has your child’s teacher voiced concerns? Parents may have concerns about their child's literacy development based on their observations or teacher feedback. Teachers may also voice concerns based on what they observe in the classroom and while working one-on-one with your child.

8. Family history of learning differences

Is there a family history of learning disabilities? This can be an indicator that your child will also struggle in school. Not all children with a family history will also have a learning disability, yet it is something to keep in mind if you are beginning to have concerns. 

9. Screening assessment results

How did your child perform on their reading screening at school? A universal screener is a tool that provides educators with a snapshot of each student’s early literacy skills. The screeners will flag if and when a student is not meeting grade-level benchmarks. As a parent, you can request the results of your child’s screening. 

These screeners are currently mandated in more than forty states for children in kindergarten through third grade.

Learn more about universal reading screening, here.


Watch our recent webinar to learn more about literacy evaluations, an overview of the WIAT, GORT, and CTOPP, and how evaluation results can drive your student’s educational plan!

Stay informed with our Upcoming Events, Workshops, and Webinars! Looking for more resources for your struggling reader or dyslexic learner? Explore our full range of services today!

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