Missouri Statute Section 167.645, RSMo (SB 681) requires school districts to conduct a foundational reading assessment as well as a dyslexia screener annually. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has approved STAR Assessment as a Missouri Foundational Reading Assessment and dyslexia screening tool.
Missouri’s Foundational Reading Assessment helps identify students who may have some reading difficulties. Students are assessed in the areas of phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension using STAR Assessments and offline tasks. The results of the assessment will help identify students who are in need of a Reading Success Plan (RSP).
If students are identified as at risk or having substantial reading deficits, a Reading Success Plan will be created to identify areas to improve in. This is a detailed plan on how we will support students in the area of reading in the classroom or through interventions. Once identified, teachers can provide instructional support targeted to student needs, monitor student progress, and adjust instruction as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions for Parents
What is an RSP?
An RSP is a plan designed to support students who have a substantial deficiency in reading. It is developed to monitor the specific reading skills a student needs to improve, as identified through state-approved assessments, dyslexia screeners, or teacher observation. The plan uses evidence-based intervention reading instruction and includes goals to measure a student’s progress.
A student is required to have an RSP if they exhibit a substantial reading deficiency (SRD), are identified as being at risk for dyslexia, or have a formal diagnosis of dyslexia. An SRD means a student is one or more grade levels behind in reading or reading readiness.
New RSPs are written for students in grades K-3. However, students who already have an existing plan will continue to be monitored through the lifetime of their plan.
How does a child qualify for an RSP?
Our district uses STAR Assessments for benchmark assessments, and the data from this and other sources will determine if a student qualifies for an RSP. A student may be required to have an RSP if their most recent reading assessment results indicate an "At Risk" level in areas such as phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, or comprehension.
All students took the STAR Diagnostic at the start of the school year. In the elementary setting, they were also given a fluency task in a one-on-one setting with a teacher and completed a spelling inventory.
A combination of Star scores, reading level, and literacy task scores were used to determine if an RSP was needed. Learn more about Reading Success Plans in Missouri.
How long will my child have this plan?
- This will be an ongoing plan for the entire school year. We will monitor progress to check your child’s growth.
- If a student reaches their learning goals, it is possible for them to exit their reading plan. However, they may only exit their RSP if their progress monitoring assessments show that they have mastered those skills and their Spring Diagnostic proves this mastery.
Does an RSP mean my child has dyslexia or a learning disability?
Not necessarily. While some students with RSPs may be identified as at risk for dyslexia, qualifying for a plan does not automatically mean your child has dyslexia. Only a licensed clinician can diagnose dyslexia. An RSP is not the same as an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), and having an RSP does not mean your child will receive special education services.
What can I do to help my child now?
We believe that a strong partnership between school and home is essential for student success. Here are some of our favorite online resources that provide activities, articles, and tips to help you support your child's reading development at home. On this document, you will find resources for these reading areas:
- Phonemic Awareness
- Phonics
- Fluency
- Comprehension
- Vocabulary