The Early Reading Screening Instrument: a method for identifying kindergarteners at risk for learning to read

This study was designed to provide speech-language pathologists and educato rs with a method for identifying children at risk for reading failure. The Early Reading Screening Instrument (ERSI) was given to 149 end-of-the-year kindergarten children. Half of the sample was tested 1 year later with stan dardized reading measures. Total ERSI scores from the kindergarten children strongly correlated with reading skills in first grade. Reading comprehens ion in first grade was the skill most strongly predicted by the subjects' t otal ERSI scores. The word recognition and invented spelling subtests of th e ERSI were the best variables to be selected as predictors of first grade word analysis, word identification, and passage comprehension skills. A spl it-half reliability study of the ERSI showed that a shortened form could be used with the same degree of predictive validity. The ERSI or similar tool s can be used to assess reading readiness in kindergarten children so that we can promptly begin an intervention to prevent or, at the very least, to diminish risk for reading failure. For screening reading readiness across d ifferent languages or cultures, the content of the four ERSI subtests can e asily be modified.