Montclair Public Schools to host webinar on Acadience reading assessments

Montclair Public Schools, in partnership with the Montclair Special Education Advisory Council, will host an Acadience reading webinar for all parents and caregivers in the district on Nov. 16, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Acadience reading is a standardized universal screening assessment with measures that are quick and easy to administer and most importantly, aid in the identification of students in need of intervention in the area of reading, the district said in an announcement of the webinar. Acadience reading makes it easier to detect K-6 students who are at risk for early reading difficulties in order to provide timely instructional support and prevent the occurrence of later reading difficulties.

During the first hour of the webinar, Susan Miller, a certified provider of Acadience reading and the assistant director of the Ann Robinowitz Education Center, accredited by the International Dyslexia Association, will provide an overview of assessments, compare and contrast the assessments used in public schools and delve into the purpose and design of the Acadience Reading Screener.

At the conclusion of the presentation, attendees will be able to ask Miller questions regarding the assessment tool. Additionally, questions specific to Montclair programming will be addressed by Assistant Superintendent for Equity, Curriculum and Instruction Kalisha Morgan, Director of Humanities Marcos Vargas and Director of Elementary Education Jill McLaughlin.

“I applaud SEPAC and our teams in the Pupil Services and Equity, Curriculum and Instruction departments for collaborating on this forum for parents and caregivers," schools Superintendent Jonathan Ponds said in the announcement from the district. "Reading is an essential gateway skill that will propel students towards success in all their studies. Whether you have a child in special or general education, learning about reading interventions and our practices are incredibly important. I believe a strong partnership among the administration, our teachers, and our parents and caregivers will be invaluable for improving literacy for all students.”

“SEPAC is excited to collaborate with the district to provide parents and caregivers with an opportunity to learn more about Acadience," the SEPAC leadership team said in the announcement. "Our two main goals for this webinar are to help members of our community better understand why so many school districts across the country have been using this screening tool for decades and to help parents and caregivers be informed partners who can collaborate with school staff to identify K-6 students who are at risk for early reading difficulties and ensure that they receive timely instructional support. Ultimately, we believe this important information can help prevent the occurrence of later reading difficulties for many students.”

Visit the district's website for details on how to join the webinar via Webex or phone.