What Data Does Heggerty's Universal Screener Provide? Follow
The Universal Screener is scored by Heggerty, and test administrators are not responsible for scoring any portion of the assessment. If you'd like to read more about the technical research behind the Universal Screener, please read more here.
At each benchmark assessment period, Heggerty's Universal Screener produces two types of scores:
- A raw score for each subtest
- A composite score
Raw Scores
The table below describes how each Universal Screener subtest is scored and the outcomes that are reported.
| Subtest | Response type | Scoring Method | Reported outcomes |
| RAN | Oral response | Transcription | Average items correct per minute; duration in seconds |
| Phonological Awareness | Oral response | Transcription | Number correct out of number attempted |
| Phonics | Oral response | Transcription | Number correct out of number attempted |
| Oral Reading Fluency | Oral response, timed | Transcription |
Words correct per minute (WCPM); percentage accuracy |
| Spelling | Typed response | Dichotomously scored at the item level | Number correct out of number attempted |
| Vocabulary | Selected response | Dichotomously scored at the item level | Number correct out of number attempted |
| Reading Comprehension | Selected response | Dichotomously scored at the item level | Number correct out of number attempted |
Composite Score
For the purposes of interpreting results from the Universal Screener, teachers should attend primarily to the composite score, which is derived from the results on the subtests completed during each testing window. The composite score is the best overall predictor of later reading outcomes and takes into account all domains that are crucial to reading success at each grade level.
For easy interpretation, the Universal Screener composite score is translated into performance classifications and color-coded based on empirically-established Universal cut scores. The 4 performance classifications are exceeds (blue), meets (green), approaches (yellow), and below (red). This system of performance classifications allows educators to identify students’ levels of risk and informs decisions related to appropriate interventions within an MTSS framework.
The table below outlines guidance for interpreting Universal screening classifications and determining instructional next steps:
| Performance Classification | Interpretation |
| Exceeds (blue) | A student classified as “exceeds” is very likely to achieve grade-level literacy goals. The student should be well-served by high-quality, research-based core reading instruction (Tier 1). |
| Meets (green) | A student classified as “meets” is likely to achieve grade-level literacy goals. The student should be well-served by high-quality, research-based core reading instruction (Tier 1), but individual monitoring and specific support may be appropriate for some students in this category, especially those who score on the lower end of the score range. |
| Approaches (yellow) | A student classified as “approaches” is at some risk of failing to achieve grade-level literacy goals. The student would benefit from supplemental support in specific skills in addition to effective core instruction. The student should receive targeted small-group intervention and progress monitoring (Tier 2). |
| Below (red) | A student classified as below is performing well-below grade level expectations. The student is at risk of severe reading difficulties and would benefit from intensive support (Tier 3) in addition to effective core instruction. |
Reports
Using the dasbhoard, educators can view Universal Screener data at the class, student, and assessment levels. Data can be exported from the Universal platform for further analysis, and districts also have the option to have data exports sent nightly via a secure SFTP server, to be ingested by their data management system of choice.
Classroom View
The classroom view allows teachers to view results from the Universal Screener for the entire class. This view displays composite scores and subtest raw scores for each student during each administration of the screener. The Composite Score is color-coded to indicate performance categories, and the columns can be sorted to view student groupings by performance.
Student History View
The student history view displays composite and raw scores for each student on the screener, across seasons. This view can be printed or shared digitally using the Copy Share Link. A copy of this report can be sent home along with the Parent Letter to communicate screener results with families.
Student history pages can be bulk downloaded in PDF format from the Reports section of the Universal dashboard:
Clicking on Screener Student Reports will allow you to download reports at the district, school, or class levels, depending on your level of access:
The reports will be emailed to you in the form of a zip file, organized by school and class.
Assessment View
For screening purposes, the Universal Screener Composite Score is sufficient for providing information about a student’s level of reading risk and informing decisions related to instructional next steps. However, the Universal platform also allows educators to drill down into each subtest to view assessment results in more detail. These results pages report students’ item responses and the corresponding skills addressed by each item. This granular information provides data that can be used beyond the screening process to analyze specific skill gaps within each domain.
The image below shows a sample item performance section from the assessment view of the Phonics subtest. Student responses are displayed under the “Response” column, and teachers have the ability to listen to their students’ oral responses.