Home / Strong Readers Amira

Strong Readers Amira


OSDE is proud to offer the Amira Statewide Screening Assessment for all Oklahoma students in kindergarten through 5th grade at no cost to districts. Under the Strong Readers Act, all students in kindergarten through 3rd grade must be screened for risk of reading difficulty at the beginning, middle, and end of each year. The Amira screening assessment has been approved by the Oklahoma State Board of Education to meet this requirement.

 

 

 

Upcoming Training Opportunity: Data Dive with Amira

The intended audience of this training is administrators, specialists, coaches, or others who might lead data discussions in their school. This training will have both virtual and in-person opportunities. There will be a one-hour presentation with time for Q&A and collaboration afterwards.

In Person Training

Virtual Training

Previous Trainings

Introductory Webinar

OSDE and Amira Learning co-hosted a webinar to introduce the Amira screening assessment and discuss how Oklahoma districts can take advantage of this opportunity. 

A recording of this webinar can be found here.

What You'll Learn: 

  • An overview of the Amira Screening and Learning Platform features. 
  • How to sign up for the opportunity to use Amira Learning at no cost. 
  • Support that will be offered to Oklahoma districts throughout the year. 
  • Q&A session with platform specialists. 

Training for Administering the Amira Screener

Amira Learning provided a one-hour training to address best practices for administering the Amira screener.

  • A recording of this training can be found here.
  • Slide deck from training.
  • Handout included in the session, which contains links for additional resources.

Webinar for Communicating Amira Data to Families

The intendend audience of this training is teachers who are looking at reports and communicating with families about students' reading progress. There are three primary goals to this training:

  • Understanding assessment results
  • Communicating the results with families
  • Using Amira to provide remediation or ongoing practice

A recording of this training can be found here.

  • Slide deck from training.
  • Handout included in the session, which contains links for additional resources.

Purpose of Screening

Insights from the National Center on Improving Literacy 

Early literacy screening is a critical step in identifying students who may be at risk for reading difficulties, including dyslexia. According to the National Center on Improving Literacy: 

  • Early Identification: Screening allows for the early detection of reading challenges, enabling timely and effective interventions. 
  • Personalized Support: Tailored instruction based on screening results can address specific student needs, promoting better learning outcomes. 
  • Progress Monitoring: Regular screening helps track student progress over time, informing instructional adjustments and supports. 
  • Equitable Education: Effective screening practices contribute to equitable access to quality literacy instruction for all students. 

By integrating comprehensive screening into educational practices, we can ensure that every student receives the support they need to become proficient and confident readers. 

Screening with Amira

Universal Screening

The Amira Universal Screener offers a quick and reliable way to assess the reading abilities of all students, ensuring early detection of potential reading difficulties. 

Key Features: 
  • Efficient Assessments: Conduct screenings in about 15 minutes with immediate results. 
  • Adaptive Technology: Assessments adjust to each student's performance for accurate skill evaluation. 
  • Data-Driven Insights: Receive detailed reports highlighting strengths and areas for improvement. 
  • Easy Integration: Seamlessly incorporate into existing assessment schedules and educational frameworks. 
Benefits: 
  • Supports proactive intervention strategies. 
  • Reduces the administrative burden on educators. 
  • Enhances instructional planning with precise data. 

Screening for Characteristics of Dyslexia

Amira's Dyslexia Screener is designed to identify indicators of dyslexia and other reading disorders, facilitating early and effective support. 

Key Features: 
  • Research-Based Assessments: Developed in collaboration with leading literacy experts and based on the latest scientific research. 
  • Comprehensive Evaluation: Assesses key areas such as phonological awareness, decoding, and fluency. 
  • Actionable Recommendations: Provides guidance on instructional strategies and interventions tailored to each student's needs. 
  • Compliance Support: Helps meet state requirements for dyslexia screening and support services. 
Benefits: 
  • Promotes early identification and support for students with dyslexia. 
  • Improves educational outcomes through targeted interventions. 
  • Empowers educators with specialized resources and training. 

Explore Amira Screening with a demonstration by completing this form.

Personalized Learning Platforms

Amira Learning Platform (Kindergarten - Grade 2)

The Amira Learning Platform offers personalized reading support for young learners, building a strong foundation for future academic success. 

Key Features: 
  • Interactive Reading Coach: Provides real-time feedback and guidance as students read aloud. 
  • Adaptive Practice: Tailors reading exercises to individual skill levels and learning pace. 
  • Engaging Content: Features a diverse library of age-appropriate and culturally relevant texts. 
  • Progress Tracking: Offers comprehensive dashboards for educators and parents to monitor growth. 
Benefits: 
  • Enhances reading fluency, comprehension, and confidence. 
  • Supports differentiated instruction in the classroom. 
  • Encourages a love for reading through interactive and fun activities. 

Amira Learning Platform with Resilience (Grade 3 and Above) 

Resilience is designed to support older students in advancing their reading skills and overcoming literacy challenges. 

Key Features: 
  • Advanced Reading Support: Addresses complex reading skills including comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking. 
  • Personalized Learning Paths: Adapts to each student's proficiency level and learning goals. 
  • Diverse Reading Materials: Includes a wide range of genres and topics to engage and challenge students. 
  • Skill-Building Exercises: Provides targeted practice to strengthen specific areas of need. 
Benefits: 
  • Supports academic achievement across all subject areas. 
  • Prepares students for higher education and career readiness. 
  • Builds confidence and resilience in reading and learning. 

Discover more about Amira Learning Platforms with a demonstration by completing this form.

Resource Center

Access a wealth of information and support materials to maximize the benefits of the Amira Platform. 

One-Pagers 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Amira Platform

1. What is the recommended frequency for using the Amira Screeners? The Strong Readers Act requires that all students in kindergarten through grade 3 are screened for risk of reading difficulty three times a year—fall, winter, and spring—to effectively monitor student progress and adjust instruction as needed. The dyslexia screening is embedded in the universal screener, so no additional testing is required. 

2. How does the Amira Platform support diverse learners? The platform's adaptive technology personalizes learning experiences to meet each student's unique needs, including support for English Language Learners and students with learning disabilities. It offers differentiated instruction to engage and support all learners. 

3. Can parents access their child's progress reports? Yes, the Amira Platform provides accessible reports that can be shared with parents to keep them informed about their child's reading development and involve them in the learning process. 

4. How does Amira ensure data privacy and security? Amira adheres to strict data privacy and security protocols in compliance with FERPA and other relevant regulations. All student data is encrypted and securely stored, ensuring confidentiality and integrity. 

5. What training and support are available for educators? Amira offers comprehensive training sessions, webinars, and ongoing support to help educators effectively implement and utilize the Amira Platform. Resources include user guides, instructional videos, and access to a dedicated support team. 

6. Is the Amira Platform compatible with existing school technology? Yes, the platform is designed to integrate seamlessly with commonly used devices and educational systems, ensuring easy adoption and minimal technical challenges. 

Oklahoma Policy

7. Will disricts receive training in Amira? Yes, we will hold several opportunities for districts using Amira to receive training for administering the assessment using best practices in the next few weeks. Once initial testing is complete, additional training opportunities will be provided for using the data to make instructional decisions.

8. Will districts have time to assess students and turn in beginning of year data? Yes, Oklahoma will provide an extension to the beginning of year deadline for districts using Amira.

Have more questions? Visit Amira's webpage at amiralearning.com or contact Oklahoma's Amira support team at [email protected].Shape 

Get Started Today 

Empower your students with the tools they need to succeed in reading and beyond. 

Join the community of educators making a difference with Amira. Complete this form to indicate your district’s interest in using the Amira Screening Assessment at no cost. 

Back to Top
Share This Page!
Last updated on October 22, 2024


About OK.gov  |  OK.gov Policies  |  Accessibility |  Notice of Nondiscrimination
© The State of Oklahoma