Community Resources

New Provincial Early Literacy Screening Initiative

The B.C. Ministry of Education and Child Care is introducing mandatory early literacy screening across the province.  All public school districts in British Columbia are required to participate.

Screening began with Kindergarten students during the 2025–26 school year. Beginning in 2026–27, the requirement expands to students from Kindergarten through Grade 3. Until the new provincial screening tool is ready, districts will use evidence-based tools that meet Ministry requirements. A common made-in-B.C. screening tool is expected to be used province-wide beginning in 2027–28.

The screener is a short classroom check-in that looks at important early reading skills, such as recognizing letters and sounds, hearing the sounds within words and beginning to read words. It helps teachers see what students already know and identify children who may benefit from additional teaching or support.

The screener is not:

• a test that children pass or fail;

• part of a child’s report-card grade;

• a diagnosis of a learning disability; or

• an evaluation of a teacher or school.

Our District is participating because it is provincially required and because identifying reading difficulties early gives schools an opportunity to provide support before small struggles become larger barriers. Teachers will use the information alongside their classroom observations and professional judgment to plan instruction, monitor progress and support each child’s development as a reader.

The overall goal is to create a more consistent approach across B.C. so that children can receive timely literacy support regardless of which public school or school district they attend.

The province’s current requirements and implementation schedule are described on its Early Literacy Screening page.