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.
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:
Amira Learning provided a one-hour training to address best practices for administering the Amira screener.
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:
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.
Register here for In Person Training sessions listed below.
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:
By integrating comprehensive screening into educational practices, we can ensure that every student receives the support they need to become proficient and confident readers.
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.
Amira's Dyslexia Screener is designed to identify indicators of dyslexia and other reading disorders, facilitating early and effective support.
Explore Amira Screening with a demonstration by completing this form.
The Amira Learning Platform offers personalized reading support for young learners, building a strong foundation for future academic success.
Resilience is designed to support older students in advancing their reading skills and overcoming literacy challenges.
Discover more about Amira Learning Platforms with a demonstration by completing this form.
Access a wealth of information and support materials to maximize the benefits of the 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.
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].
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.