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    DIBELS stands for Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills.  The DIBELS measures are indicators of the skill area they are designed to assess.  Just as a pediatrician measures a child's height and weight as a quick and efficient indicator of that child's physical development, each DIBELS measure is a quick and efficient indicator of how well a child is doing in learning a particular reading skill.  DIBELS 8th Edition is the updated version and the one that our school began using in August 2019.  All K-3 grades students are assessed three times per year (August/ December/ May).

    At Legend Springs the DIBELS measures are used to:
    • identify students who may be a risk for reading difficulties in grades K - 3
    • monitor at-risk students while they receive additional, targeted instruction from the classroom teacher and school reading specialist
    • help classroom teachers plan for small group reading instruction to meet individual reading needs for all students


    The Five Essential Skill Areas of Early Literacy
    The DIBELS measures were developed to be indicators of the essential early literacy skills that a child must master to become a good reader.

    • Phonemic Awareness:  Hearing and using sounds in spoken words.
    • Alphabetic Principle and Phonics:   Knowing the sounds of the letters and sounding out written words.
    • Accurate and Fluent Reading: Reading stories and other materials easily and quickly with few mistakes.
    • Vocabulary: Understanding and correctly using a variety of words.
    • Comprehension:  Understanding what is spoken or read.