Which assessment is commonly used for universal screening in early literacy?

• A. SAT
• B. ACT
• C. DIBELS
• D. GRE

Answer: (C)

Universal screening in early literacy aims to quickly identify students who may need additional instruction by using brief, reliable measures of foundational reading skills. DIBELS is designed for exactly this purpose. It provides short, timed tasks that assess key early literacy abilities—such as letter knowledge, phonemic awareness, decoding skills, and reading fluency—so teachers can spot at‑risk students and monitor growth over the school year. Because it’s fast and targeted, it fits into regular instruction and informs timely supports. In contrast, tests like the SAT, ACT, and GRE are college admissions assessments used later in schooling to gauge readiness for college-level work, not to screen young children for early reading intervention. Therefore, DIBELS is the standard choice for universal screening in early literacy.