DepEd to carry out reading assessment

CEBU, Philippines — Starting in the second quarter of School Year 2025-2026, the Department of Education (DepEd) will implement its nationwide Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Program in Reading (ARAL-Reading), a move that zeroes in on learners struggling to meet grade-level reading expectations across public and private schools.

Under DepEd Memorandum No. 064, s. 2025, the rollout prioritizes learners from Grades 1 to 10 identified through Beginning-of-School-Year assessments using the Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment and the Philippine Informal Reading Inventory.

The second quarter launch signals a concerted effort to deliver tailored interventions to Low and High Emerging readers in Key Stage 1 and Frustration level readers in Key Stages 2 and 3.

Participating schools must finalize their readiness audits, group learners according to proficiency, and deploy trained tutors via daily one-hour sessions, either in face-to-face, online, or blended learning formats.

According to DepEd, schools must coordinate with their division offices to finalize grouping, tutorial schedules, and health screenings prior to the launch.

Selected learners will receive focused instruction based on reading ability rather than age or grade level.

For Grades 1 to 3, the curriculum emphasizes phonics-based, multi-sensory instruction; higher grade levels will receive support through ARAL-Reading Basic and ARAL-Reading Plus tracks, focusing on decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension strategies.

Tutors drawn from DepEd personnel, pre-service teachers, and community educators will undergo capacity-building led by the National Educators Academy of the Philippines. Schools are also encouraged to incorporate local literature and create dedicated reading spaces.

Monitoring will include periodic assessments, Individualized Reading Intervention Plans, and participation in Learning Action Cell sessions.

Reports on learner progress must be submitted within 30 days after the end-of-school-year assessment for consolidation at the national level.

DepEd underscores the importance of cross-sector involvement, especially from LGUs, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and health professionals.

Schools must conduct vision screenings and, where needed, distribute eyeglasses to ensure equitable learning outcomes. (CEBU NEWS)