A one-day training is available for Strategist II/ID special education teachers to learn more about the K-6 Early Literacy Alternate Screener (ELAS) and the new K-6 Early Math Alternate Screener (EMAS), which will be available in Fall, 2026.

Teachers administering these screeners must complete the required online training, which will be available on AEA Learning Online.  This requirement can be done completely independently. As such, the workshop above is optional and designed for teachers who would like to collaboratively work through the training, and learn the process in a group setting.  It would also be very appropriate for new Strategist II teachers - those new to the field.  Special Education Coordinators and Alternate Assessment Coordinators may also wish to attend, to gain a deeper understanding of the required assessment process.

Iowa Code section 279.68 and 281--Iowa Administrative Code 62 (Iowa''s Early Literacy Implementation) require that all students in kindergarten through third grade participate in universal screening in reading to determine their level of reading or reading readiness. This requirement includes students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who will or are likely to participate in alternate assessment based on alternate achievement standards in third grade.  Students in grades K-6 participate in ELAA.  This parallels the overall general education requirement, as measured by Iowa’s “healthy indicators,” that students K-6 participate in literacy screenings, and are progress monitored if not meeting benchmarks.

Iowa Code 279.68A - enacted by the "Math Counts Act" (House File 784), is the law that requires public school districts to screen all kindergarten through grade six (K-6) students at least three times a year to determine math proficiency.  This creates new requirements for a math screening tool appropriate for students with significant cognitive disabilities.