Academic Screening, Growth, and Diagnostic Tests
Identify academic strengths and needs and monitor learning growth
FCPS uses a variety of academic screening, growth, and diagnostic tests to identify students' academic strengths and needs and to monitor growth in their learning across the school year. These assessments fulfill state requirements for screening and growth measures in addition to providing data to develop student reading plans or student intervention plans, as needed. Additional diagnostic tests are available as a resource for teachers when more information is needed to determine specific areas for support.
- These assessments help teachers know each students' areas of strength and need within the content.
- They also provide data on how each student is growing throughout the year.
View the screening, growth, and diagnostic tests used at the each grade range level in the sections below. The Grade Level Tests webpage also gives information about the timing for each assessment and how results are reported.
Primary Elementary (PreK-2) Academic Screening, Growth, and Diagnostic
Primary grade levels PreK-2 use different assessments to meet state and division requirements. Students in grades PreK-2 participate in literacy screeners required by the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA). Mathematics screeners fulfill a Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program (VKRP) requirement for grades PreK-K and fulfill a FCPS Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) requirement for grades 1-2.
- Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System (VALLSS) is used with all Grade PreK-2 students in fall, winter, and spring
- Early Mathematics Assessment System (EMAS) is used with all Grade PreK and Kindergarten students in fall and spring
- iReady Math is used with all Grade 1-2 students in fall and spring; students whose fall score is below benchmark will also retest in the winter.
NOTIFICATION OF TESTING
Elementary Academic Screening Tests, Grades PreK-2
Dear Parents and Guardians:
The Virginia government requires assessments for the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) and Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program (VKRP)* in all schools. These assessments help state officials understand literacy and school readiness needs across Virginia. Additionally, the mathematics screener in grades 1-2 fulfills a Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) requirement. Test results also help teachers, school leaders, and parents know how to support each student’s learning and development. The Academic Screening, Growth, and Diagnostic Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/academic-screening-growth-and-diagnostic-tests) provides more information on these tests.
Grade | Literacy Test | Mathematics Test |
PreK-K | Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System (VALLSS) | Early Mathematics Assessment System (EMAS) |
1-2 | VALLSS | iReady Math |
* In addition to the EMAS, VKRP also requires PreK-K teachers to observe a student’s self-regulation and social skills using the Child Behavior Rating Scale (CBRS).
Teachers assess all PreK-2 students with the VALLSS in fall, winter, and spring. Grade PreK-K EMAS tests are given in fall and spring only. In grades 1-2, all students take the iReady Math test in fall and spring, but only students whose fall score is below benchmark will retest in winter. Tests are delivered within the classroom instructional block. Teachers set specific testing dates for each class. General timing for required screening is available on the Grade Level Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/academics/student-tests-assessments/grade-level-tests).
Based on academic screening results, some students may require a reading plan or math intervention plan. Some students may need additional diagnostic tests to help teachers determine specific areas for support. If you have questions about academic screening, growth, or diagnostic tests, please contact your student’s teacher or the school's test coordinator.
Upper Elementary (3-6) Academic Screening, Growth, and Diagnostic
Upper elementary grade levels 3-6 use different assessments to meet state requirements. Reading screeners and additional diagnostics fulfill Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) requirements. Mathematics screeners fulfill FCPS Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) requirements. Screening tests at these grades also serve as growth assessments to fulfill Virginia Assessment Program (VAP) requirements.
- iReady Math is used in fall, winter, and spring with all Grade 3-6 students scheduled to take a spring SOL test
- iReady Reading is used in fall, winter, and spring with all Grade 3-6 students scheduled to take a spring SOL test
- Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System (VALLSS) is used as a state screener for select Grade 3 students each window
- In fall, VALLSS is used with students new to Virginia public schools and students who are identified for a reading plan based on their iReady Reading score
- In winter and spring, VALLSS is used with students whose fall VALLSS scores showed a need for support.
- iReady Passage Reading Fluency (PRF) diagnostic is used with Grade 4-6 students who are identified for a reading plan based on their iReady Reading score
- CORE Phonics Inventory diagnostic is used with Grade 4-6 students whose iReady PRF result is below benchmark
- Developmental Spelling Assessment (DSA) diagnostic is used in fall and and spring with all Grade 4-6 students
NOTIFICATION OF TESTING
Elementary Academic Screening and Growth Tests, Grades 3-6
Dear Parents and Guardians:
The Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) require schools to provide reading and mathematics screening tests for all students in grades 3-6. These assessments also fulfill a requirement for reading and mathematics growth assessments under the Virginia Assessment Program (VAP). Test results help families and teachers know how to support each student’s learning and development. The Academic Screening, Growth, and Diagnostic Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/academic-screening-growth-and-diagnostic-tests) provides more information on these tests.
- iReady Math - all students scheduled to take the spring Standards of Learning (SOL)
- iReady Reading - all students scheduled to take the spring SOL
- Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System (VALLSS) - only select grade 3 students
Elementary teachers assess all grade 3-6 students with iReady Math and iReady Reading in fall, winter, and spring. Tests are delivered within the classroom instructional block. Teachers set specific testing dates for each class. General timing for required screening and growth tests is available on the Grade Level Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/academics/student-tests-assessments/grade-level-tests).
Based on academic screening results, some students may require a reading plan or math intervention plan. Some students may require additional diagnostic tests to help teachers determine specific areas for support. If you have questions about academic screening, growth, or diagnostic tests, please contact your student’s teacher or the school's test coordinator.
Middle School (6-8) Screening, Growth, and Diagnostic
Middle schools use different assessments to meet state requirements for students in grades 6-8. Reading and mathematics growth assessments fulfill Virginia Assessment Program (VAP) requirements. These assessments also serve as screeners to fulfill Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) and FCPS Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) requirements. Additional reading diagnostic tests also help to fulfill Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) requirements.
- MAP Growth Math is used in fall, winter, and spring with all students scheduled to take a spring SOL test
- iReady Reading is used in fall, winter, and spring with all students scheduled to take a spring SOL test
- iReady Passage Reading Fluency (PRF) diagnostic is used with students who are identified for a reading plan based on their iReady Reading score
NOTIFICATION OF TESTING
Middle School Academic Screening and Growth Tests
Dear Parents and Guardians:
The Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) require schools to provide reading and mathematics screening tests for all students in grades 6-8. These assessments also fulfill a requirement for reading and mathematics growth assessments under the Virginia Assessment Program (VAP). Test results help families and teachers know how to support each student’s learning and development. The Academic Screening, Growth, and Diagnostic Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/academic-screening-growth-and-diagnostic-tests) provides more information on these tests.
- iReady Reading - all students scheduled to take the spring reading SOL
- MAP Growth MAP – all students scheduled to take a spring math SOL
Middle school teachers assess all grade 6-8 middle school students with iReady Reading and MAP Growth MAP in fall, winter, and spring. Tests are delivered within the classroom instructional block. Teachers set specific testing dates for each class. General timing for required screening and growth is available on the Grade Level Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/academics/student-tests-assessments/grade-level-tests).
Based on academic screening results, some students may require a reading plan or math intervention plan. Some students may require additional diagnostic tests to help teachers determine specific areas for support. If you have questions about academic screening, growth, or diagnostic tests, please contact your student’s teacher or the school's test coordinator.
High School (9-12) Screening and Growth
High schools use reading and mathematics screening and growth assessments to fulfill Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) and FCPS Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) requirements. These assessments are used in selected high school courses. All students in the course test in fall. Students whose fall score is below benchmark will retest in the winter and spring. Teachers may also decide retesting is needed to provide updated information on strengths and areas of growth.
- MAP Growth Math is used in Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra Functions and Data Analysis, and Algebra 2 courses
- MAP Growth Reading is used in English 9, English 10, and English 11 courses
NOTIFICATION OF TESTING
High School Academic Screening and Growth Tests
Dear Parents and Guardians:
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) uses the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth assessments to determine students’ strengths and needs in mathematics and reading. Students in select high school math and English courses will participate in these tests. Test results help families and teachers know how to support each student’s learning and development. The Academic Screening, Growth, and Diagnostic Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/academic-screening-growth-and-diagnostic-tests) provides more information on these tests.
- MAP Growth Reading - students in select English courses
- MAP Growth Math – students in select math courses
English and math teachers use MAP Growth assessments in the fall with all students in the select courses. Some students may retest in winter and spring to provide additional growth data. Tests are delivered within the classroom instructional block. Teachers set specific testing dates for each class. General timing for required screening and growth is available on the Grade Level Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/academics/student-tests-assessments/grade-level-tests).
Based on academic screening results, some students may require a reading or math intervention plan. If you have questions about academic screening or growth tests, please contact your student’s English or mathematics teacher or the school's test coordinator.
