Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of universal screening?

Universal screening is a systematic approach used to evaluate the reading skills of all students to identify those who may be at risk for reading difficulties, including dyslexia. Characteristics of effective universal screening include being reliable and valid, meaning that the assessments consistently measure what they are intended to measure and produce accurate results. Additionally, they should be predictive of future reading outcomes, allowing educators to anticipate who might struggle based on their early assessments.

Also, effective screenings often include indicators of essential skills that signal a risk for dyslexia, such as phonemic awareness, decoding abilities, and fluency. These factors ensure that the screening is comprehensive and targets the necessary areas for assessment.

In contrast, the idea that universal screening could be teacher-created introduces variability and inconsistency, which runs counter to the goal of universal screening as a standardized method. While teacher involvement in the screening process can be valuable, the screenings themselves should be based on established, reliable assessments rather than varying assessments that individual teachers might create. Therefore, the aspect of being teacher-created does not align with the foundational characteristics that define universal screening.