New Westminster, BC - Dyslexia Canada applauds the Government of British Columbia’s decision to invest in developing a new made in BC early reading screening tool. Created in partnership with leading Canadian researchers and the BC education sector, the tool will be evidence-based, valid, and reliable. Building on the strengths of existing tools and decades of international research, it will be tailored to meet the needs of educators and students in British Columbia.
“Early screening is a game changer for students,” said Alicia Smith, Executive Director of Dyslexia Canada. “B.C.’s leadership in creating a new Canadian-made tool will support British Columbia’s children, and benefit students and teachers across Canada for generations to come.”
Nationally, most provinces are actively exploring universal screening, with some already moving into implementation. Most provinces have relied on a mix of commercial and non-commercial tools, the majority of which have been developed in the United States. By investing in a made-in-Canada tool that meets rigorous evidence standards, B.C. is creating a strong alternative that reduces reliance on U.S. products and strengthens the future of literacy screening in Canada.
By investing in the development of this new evidence-based screening tool, the province is making screening sustainable for the long term and ensuring public funds are used wisely. This decision shifts resources away from private publishers and reinvests them into Canadian research and innovation. Dyslexia Canada applauds this announcement and thanks the Government of British Columbia for its commitment to early literacy screening, an important step towards improving equity and student outcomes.