October 14, 2025
Dear Collingswood and Oaklyn Families,
A few weeks ago, we shared our 2025-2026 Assessment Calendar with all families. The calendar outlines the many ways that our districts monitor student growth and learning over the course of the school year.
Tomorrow, your child will bring home Family Score Reports from our Beginning of the Year Universal Screeners for Reading and Math.
In Oaklyn, K-5 students participate in NWEA MAP Reading and Math, and DIBELS Reading assessments.
In Collingswood, K-5 students participate in NWEA MAP Math, and DIBELS Reading Assessments. And 6-11th grade students participate in NWEA MAP Math and Reading assessments.
MAP Growth (Measures of Academic Progress) is used to assess our students’ literacy and math skills. MAP Growth is an adaptive assessment, used to measure what skills students currently know, regardless of their grade level. It also measures growth over time, allowing teachers to monitor yearly progress. Families may find it helpful to review the MAP Family Report Video to better understand the report your child will bring home.
DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) is one of the components of our elementary literacy program, directly aligned to Science of Reading best practices.
DIBELS assesses our students' literacy skills in Grades K-5. DIBELS is one of the most effective screening tools available, including dyslexia screening. DIBELS measures the critical skills necessary for successful beginning reading such as phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Students are assessed three times each year to monitor progress and determine needs. Results provide teachers with valuable information about how to support student reading growth.
As with any assessment, MAP and DIBELS are just one measure of your child’s current abilities. We take into consideration many other key skills and factors in determining how best to support their growth and progress. As always, please feel free to contact your child’s school if you have any questions once you’ve reviewed the reports. I am also happy to connect directly with families who may have additional questions.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Meredith Howell-Turner
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction
Collingswood and Oaklyn Public Schools
