MindPlay’s Universal Screener

The MindPlay Universal Screener includes up to ten tests, with each student taking between five and seven tests based on their grade level and performance.

Comprehension Screening

The Comprehension Screening assesses students' knowledge of word meanings that are intrinsic to the sentence's meaning. It is adaptive, based on student responses. The targeted words used in the screener were drawn from a composite list that reflects several classic research-based word frequency lists and standardized tests.

Expected Fluency  

This fluency assessment measures students’ ability to read connected text at an appropriate rate while maintaining comprehension. It evaluates whether students can read smoothly from left to right without excessive fixations or regressions by presenting a multi-line story with words that fade at a controlled pace. A proprietary algorithm determines the student’s effective reading rate (the fastest pace at which they can read while sustaining at least 90% comprehension), providing insight into their overall reading fluency ability.

Natural Fluency

This fluency assessment determines students’ natural silent reading rate while ensuring comprehension. Administered only to students who meet expected fluency benchmarks for their grade level, this timed assessment measures how quickly and accurately a student can read a passage without overt timing pressure. After reading, students answer comprehension questions to confirm understanding. The resulting effective reading rate reflects the highest speed the student can read while still comprehending the text.

Visual Scanning 

This test helps determine if vision or attention issues contribute to below-average comprehension skills. This test is assigned to students in 2nd grade and above who do not pass the Expected Fluency Screening. 

Grammar for Meaning

The Grammar assessment evaluates a student’s understanding of grammar and syntax within the context of authentic communication and writing, emphasizing meaningful application and language use.

Listening Vocabulary 

The Listening Vocabulary Test measures students’ receptive vocabulary. By presenting grade-level appropriate words auditorily, the assessment isolates vocabulary knowledge from decoding skills, providing a clear picture of the student’s listening comprehension. As an adaptive test, it adjusts in difficulty based on student responses to accurately determine vocabulary level and identify areas needing support.

Rhyming

The Rhyming assessment evaluates students' ability to recognize and identify rhyming words, an essential component of phonological awareness. Performance on this assessment indicates a student’s proficiency in distinguishing similar ending sounds, which is foundational for early reading success.

Alphabet Knowledge

The Alphabet Recognition assessment evaluates students' ability to identify and match spoken letter names to their corresponding written forms. Mastery of letter recognition supports students' understanding of the relationship between spoken and written language, forming the basis for phonics, word recognition, and overall literacy development.

Phonics Nonsense Words

The Phonics assessment evaluates students' knowledge of English letter-sound correspondences, spelling patterns, phonetic rules, and word structure. Using a progression of ten levels, the assessment measures increasingly complex phonics concepts, each building on the previous one. The adaptive format adjusts the difficulty based on student responses. Administered by a virtual speech pathologist, the test ensures accurate pronunciation and estimates the student’s decoding and encoding proficiency.

Spelling Real Words

Real-world spelling assesses students’ ability to spell commonly used English words, including those with irregular or unpredictable spelling patterns. It provides insight into students' ability to spell words that do not follow standard phonetic rules.

Counting Sounds 

The Phonemic Awareness assessment evaluates students' ability to identify and count individual sounds (phonemes) within spoken words. As the most advanced level of phonological awareness, phonemic awareness supports students’ understanding of how sounds map to letters and word structures. Performance on this assessment determines a student’s skill level and identifies those who may benefit from targeted instruction in this foundational area.

Determining Performance Level Categories

MindPlay Universal Screener categorizes students into four performance levels: Critical (C), Approaching (A), Meeting (M), and Exceeding (E). Scores for students in grades 2+ are based on independent reading level; the phonics score is used for students in grades K-1.