Core and Supplemental Instruction: Meeting the Needs of All Students
BCPS implemented the Open Court Foundational Skills program in grades K – 3. Open Court is a research-based, comprehensive, foundational skills reading program that uses systematic and explicit instruction to help students master the skills needed for reading and writing fluency. Supplemental reading instruction includes daily instruction using Open Court curriculum with additional small group instruction. Students not meeting the benchmark scores on the universal screener will receive supplemental instruction.
Universal Screening and Assessment of Reading
Baltimore County Public Schools screens every kindergarten, first grade, second grade, and third grade student to identify if
the student is at risk for reading difficulties. The screening occurs three times during the year: the
beginning of the year (BOY) in September; the middle of the year (MOY) in January; and the end
of the year screener (EOY) in May. One of two screeners may be used: the eighth edition of the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) or the Amira Benchmark Screener. Both screeners measure skills that are necessary for learning to read.