BC Literacy Screener

The British Columbia Literacy Screening Project is part of a province-wide, multi-year initiative supporting the implementation of evidence-based early literacy screening for students in kindergarten through Grade 3.

Led by Canada Excellence Research Chair in Developmental Science Sara Hart and the Hart Lab at the University of Waterloo, the project (English) works alongside the Ministry of Education and Child Care, school districts, educators, researchers, and literacy partners (including Indigenous partners) to better understand how early literacy screening can improve outcomes for children across British Columbia.

Why This Matters

In April 2024, the Government of British Columbia committed $30 million over three years to advance literacy outcomes for all children, including those with learning differences such as dyslexia. A key component of this investment is the implementation of evidence-based early literacy screening for all students from Kindergarten through Grade 3.

Through this work, British Columbia is establishing a standardized, province-wide approach to literacy screening, including the development of consistent screening criteria and a made-for-British Columbia screening tool designed specifically for BC schools to support equitable, evidence-informed literacy outcomes.

What is Literacy Screening?

Early literacy screening is a brief, teacher-administered assessment process that evaluates foundational skills critical to reading development, including:

• Letter and sound recognition
• Phonemic awareness
• Oral language skills
• Other early literacy indicators

Screening provides a snapshot of a child’s emerging literacy development and helps educators identify students who may benefit from additional support.

Early literacy screening is important because it:

• Helps identify students who may require additional support early;
• Enables intervention before reading challenges become more entrenched; and
• Supports educators in tailoring instruction to student needs.

About the Research Project

The British Columbia Literacy Screening Project (English) is designed to generate rigorous evidence about the implementation, effectiveness, and long-term impact of early literacy screening across British Columbia.

Through research, evaluation, and knowledge mobilization, the project seeks to:

• Understand how literacy screening is implemented across diverse school contexts;
• Examine how early identification supports student success;
• Strengthen equitable access to literacy supports and intervention; and
• Inform future literacy policy and educational practice.

Grounded in developmental science and evidence-informed practice, the project bridges research, policy, and practice to support improved literacy trajectories for children across British Columbia.

More details and updates to come!