Overview
Students develop critical foundational knowledge in literacy and numeracy in the early years of their education. Assessing students in their early years provides essential information to teachers, schools, parents and Alberta Education about student learning needs and ensures that those requiring additional supports receive help when they need it.
Background
In 2022/23, literacy and numeracy screening assessments became mandatory for students in grades 1 to 3, ensuring that students are receiving essential foundational learning in the critical early years of their education. School authorities must use screening tools provided or approved by Alberta Education.
Further information about the early years literacy and numeracy assessment requirement and a complete list of the government provided and approved screening assessments can be found in the General Information Bulletin - Literacy and Numeracy Screening Assessments or on New LearnAlberta.
Updates
Beginning in the 2024/25 school year, enhancements to the early years literacy and numeracy assessment requirement will include:
- Mandatory screening assessments in September and January for all students in grades 1 to 3, with a follow-up assessment in June for those students requiring additional supports after completing the January assessment.
- Mandatory screening assessments in January for all students in kindergarten, beginning in January 2025.
School authorities are required to share students’ literacy and numeracy results in their Annual Education Results Report and engage with stakeholders to set priorities and build their education plan. This approach helps the province, school authorities and schools track successes and continuously improve the quality of education for students. It also supports a transparent, accountable and responsive education system.
Assessments
Numeracy and literacy are 2 important skills that are developed during early childhood. Screening assessments help teachers identify the students who are most in need of additional support and intervention during their critical early years of education and these assessments provide a means of monitoring growth over time.
School authorities may use:
- literacy and numeracy screening assessments provided by Alberta Education
- alternative screening assessments approved by Alberta Education
Alberta teachers can access these assessments on New LearnAlberta.
Early years assessments are formative assessments meant to complement, not replace, day-to-day teacher observations and classroom assessment. They are sources of information that must be interpreted, used and communicated within the context of regular and continuous assessment by classroom teachers.
Resources
- General Information Bulletin: Literacy and Numeracy Screening Assessments
- Alberta Government-Provided Kindergarten to Grade 3 Literacy Screening Assessments: PAST, RAN, LeNS, and CC3 Interpretation Guide
- Provincial Kindergarten to Grade 4 Numeracy Screening Assessments: Interpretation Guide
- Early Years Standardized Assessment Report
- Alberta Government-provided and Approved Literacy and Numeracy Assessments: Kindergarten to Grade 3
Literacy assessment video series
The following literacy assessment videos feature Dr. George Georgiou and Dr. Rauno Parrila.
Contact
Connect with Student Learning Assessments and Provincial Achievement Testing:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Email: [email protected]