PLAZA LEVEL – 08, THE CAPITOL – TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-0400 – (850) 413-0555 – FAX (850) 488-2869
http:/www.firn.edu/doe
An affirmative action/equal opportunity employer
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
CHARLIE CRIST
Commissioner
October 11, 2002
M E M O R A N D U M
TO:
Principals, Private Elementary Schools
FROM:
Shan Goff, Chief
Bureau of Instructional Support and Community Services
John C. Bowman, Director
Choice Office
SUBJECT:
School Readiness Uniform Screening System (SRUSS)
The purpose of this memorandum is to inform you regarding the School Readiness Uniform Screening
System (SRUSS). In accordance with Section 411.01, F.S., beginning with the 2002-2003 school year,
public school districts will administer uniform developmental and behavioral screening instruments to all
first time kindergarten students. This system will provide valid, reliable tools to assist teachers in
understanding the abilities of their students in order to promote school success for all learners.
Additionally, this information will assist in improving school readiness programs and services for
children prior to school entry age.
During the first 45 calendar days of school, every kindergarten student will be screened using a
developmental screening tool, entitled the “Early Screening Inventory-Kindergarten” (ESI-K).
Additionally, a behavioral screening instrument will also be administered to each child. Each school
district has selected either the “Work Sampling System” (WSS) or the “Ready-for-School Behavioral
Screener.”
The ESI-K is an on-demand developmental screening instrument that is administered individually. It
provides a quick overview of the child’s development in the areas of visual-motor/adaptive skills,
language/cognition, and gross motor skills. Both behavioral screening instruments are classroom-based
observational assessments. The teacher assesses learning as the child engages in ongoing classroom
activities.
While this statutory requirement
does not
apply to private schools
and the Department of Education
cannot purchase these materials for distribution to private schools, we thought that this information would
be of interest to you. If you desire additional information on the specific instruments, you may wish to
PLAZA LEVEL – 08, THE CAPITOL – TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-0400 – (850) 413-0555 – FAX (850) 488-2869
http:/www.firn.edu/doe
An affirmative action/equal opportunity employer
Memorandum to Private Schools
October 11, 2002
Page Two
contact the publishers directly. The ESI-K and WSS are published by Pearson Education. The telephone
number for Pearson Education is 888/832-9378. The Ready-for-School Behavioral Screener is published
by The Psychological Corporation. The telephone number for The Psychological Corporation is 800/228-
0752, extension 5632.
Additional information on the SRUSS procedures that school districts are implementing is available on
our website at http://www.firn.edu/doe/sas/. If you have additional questions regarding this
memorandum, please contact Cathy Bishop, Program Specialist, at 850/488-1106, or via email at
cathy.bishop@fldoe.org.
SG/JB/cbg
cc: Katherine Kamiya
Thomas Fisher
District Coordinators of Assessment
