What is a common indicator that a student is at risk for reading failure?

Low scores on universal screener assessments serve as a clear indicator that a student is at risk for reading failure. These assessments are designed to identify students' reading skills and gauge their development over time. When a student receives low scores, it highlights potential difficulties in foundational reading skills such as phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency, and comprehension. Identifying these challenges early allows educators to implement targeted interventions to support the student’s reading development before they fall further behind.

Other indicators like high proficiency in math, active participation in classroom discussions, and consistently completing homework assignments do not directly relate to reading abilities. For instance, a student may excel in math while struggling with reading, as these skills do not necessarily correlate. Participation in discussions or completing assignments can reflect a variety of skills and motivation, but they do not specifically assess reading proficiency or predict reading challenges.