Article of the Month — For Educators & Parents
SEPTEMBER 2026SCREENING AND EARLY IDENTIFICATION
Featured article — National Center on Improving Literacy
Screening for DyslexiaSeptember is screening season. This NCIL brief explains what dyslexia screening is (and isn't): a quick, evidence-based way to flag students who may be at risk so support can begin before they fall behind — not a diagnosis, and never a label.
For parents, it demystifies what happens when a school screens a child and what questions to ask next. For educators, it outlines what a strong screening process includes and how results should shape instruction.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Screening is brief, predictive, and designed to trigger support — not to diagnose.
- Early identification in kindergarten and first grade leads to far better outcomes than 'wait and see.'
- Families have the right to ask what screening tools are used and what the results mean.