High-performing schools are prioritising early identification and intervention. Is your school ready to do the same?
SPELD SA is a trusted leader in DIBELS 8th Edition professional learning, supporting schools to implement a consistent, evidence-informed approach to literacy. Flexible delivery options ensure alignment with your school’s needs.
Why use DIBELS 8th?
- DIBELS 8th provides a short screener that allows educators to quickly determine which students may require extra support with reading.
Developed by the University of Oregon and tied to research into how children learn to read, this proven, reliable and evidence-based tool enables targeted and impactful intervention.
With implementation from the first year of schooling to Year 8, it enables schools to:
• Identify students at risk of reading difficulties early
• Monitor progress over time and respond quickly to student needs.
• Focus on the critical building blocks of reading, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency and comprehension.
Find the right DIBELS training for you
TWO DAY ONLINE
Join Dr Sarah McDonagh for a 2-day online training. We offer Part 1 Administration and Scoring (2-day training) and Part 2 Interpreting Data and Planning for Instruction (2-day training). This training is highly recommended for acquiring an in-depth understanding of how to use DIBELS 8th with fidelity and get the most out of the data when planning for instruction.
SHORT ONLINE WORKSHOPS
Choose from one or both of our 2-hour online workshops, designed to help schools upskill staff in key areas of DIBELS 8th Edition. The workshops include:
Introduction to Administration and Scoring Basics: Learn the scoring rules and practice administering each subtest.
Instructional Approaches Informed by the Data: Explore how the subtests align with reading development and discover strategies to enhance specific reading skills.
DIBELS 8th Upper Primary and Secondary School. This workshop introduces DIBELS 8th assessments and their use with older students, as a screening tool and for instructional guidance. It touches on what we know about how students learn to read and the skills that need to be developed on the journey towards skilled reading at any age. Participants practice scoring Oral Reading Fluency and the MAZE measure for reading comprehension. We then discuss implications for instruction and/or further assessment, based on the data.
IN SCHOOL
A SPELD SA trainer can come to your school to provide a one-day introduction to using DIBELS 8th. We show how DIBELS 8th is aligned with reading acquisition, practice the administration and scoring, and explore some instructional approaches that target the key areas involved in learning to read.
This training provides educators with many benefits.
This training is ideal for school leaders, teachers, inclusive educators, support staff, and anyone dedicated to enhancing literacy for all students.
As a normed and standardised assessment, it is crucial that examiners are aware of correct administration and scoring procedures to ensure valid data. Training also helps to get the most out of the data once it has been collected, to ensure timely and responsive intervention that targets key skills in reading.
Participants will learn to:
• Score each of the DIBELS 8th subtests with fidelity using the paper-based method.
• Detect reading risk in students by aligning DIBELS subtest data with benchmark goals and key skills in early reading.
• Analyse data to identify instructional areas that need to be strengthened at whole class and individual level.
• Plan for instruction within a multi-tiered support system.
Schools that embed DIBELS effectively are better equipped to:
• Intervene earlier and more precisely
• Track and demonstrate student growth
• Improve literacy outcomes across cohorts
• Support teachers with clear, actionable data
Episode 35: Kerry Williams – Closing the Literacy Gap – Around the School Table by Xuno Suite
In this episode of Around the School Table, host Steve Davis is joined by Kerry Williams Director Teaching and Learning of SPELD SA Inc to unpack one of Australia’s most pressing education challenges.
The conversation highlights the shift away from outdated “wait to fail” models. Instead, Kerry explains how tools like DIBELS, linked to Student Maps, enable early identification of struggling readers. She also outlines the five key components of reading, showing how each plays a vital role in building confident, capable learners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about DIBELS 8th Edition, training options and support for schools.
Request DIBELS Training
SPELD SA is excited to offer comprehensive training on the DIBELS 8th Edition. If you have any questions or would like more information about how our DIBELS 8th training can benefit your school or organisation, please fill out the form.
A member of the SPELD SA team will be in touch with you to provide further details and help with any clarifications.
If you are having any issues with the form below, please email workshops@speldsa.org.au
