GOLDEN POND SCHOOL PALS RESULTS EXCEEDED OR EQUALED THE TOP END OF THE VIRGINIA DEVELOPMENT RANGE.

The Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS) provides a comprehensive assessment of a young child’s knowledge of important literacy fundamentals.  This test is an approved screening tool for the state of Virginia, and is an indicator of early reading success.  99% of all school divisions in the state use this tool on a voluntary basis.  All Kindergarteners are administered this test as they begin their first year in Loudoun County Public Schools.

Five years ago, Golden Pond School decided to begin screening our preschoolers who are going on to Kindergarten with the PALS – PreK test in the spring.  We started this process because we thought it would benefit our students to take the test in preschool, administered by someone that they know and trust rather than being exposed to the test for the first time as they begin a new school year at potentially a new school, administered by a teacher they have only known a few weeks.  This is just one of the many ways we hope to give our students a Golden Pond School advantage.  We also knew that this was a way for us to see how well our school had prepared our students to take the next step in their educational journey. 

Every year, we have been excited and pleased with our results.  Also, we have seen our results improve every year.  We recently completed testing for 2010 – 2011 school year and the results were exceptional.

As can be seen from these results, the median score achieved by Golden Pond School students exceeded or equaled the top end of the Virginia development range. In several of the test components, 99% of the Golden Pond  students scored at or above the top end of the Virginia development range. To see the individual Golden Pond PALs results, please click here.

If you would like further information about pals, the website is www.pals.virginia.edu.

For more information regarding the above press release, please contact us at (703) 723-7663.