Iowa Code Chapter 62 (State Standards for Reading Progression) requires public districts to screen the literacy skill development of all elementary students. Targeted intervention and ongoing progress monitoring are required for students who are repeatedly identified as at risk of not meeting subsequent learning targets.
To help public schools meet this requirement, the Iowa Department of Education (Department) is seeking submissions of K-6 universal screening and progress-monitoring assessments. Screening and monitoring assessments submitted will be reviewed to ensure each approved measure meets the minimum criteria specified by the Department. Those that meet the approval criteria will be communicated to Iowa’s schools as approved early literacy screening and monitoring assessments.
The Department will add qualified universal screening and progress monitoring assessments to the current Approved Literacy Assessment list. Any assessment on the current approved assessments will carry forward to the updated approved list. Any vendor wishing for an assessment to be considered for inclusion on the Department’s current approved early literacy assessment list must submit during this RFAP.
This RFAP submission opportunity does not include a cost proposal and will not result in a statewide contract.
Request for Approval (RFAP) Requirements
Applicants must submit responses to the required sections of the Submission Form to be considered for approval. An evaluation committee will conduct a comprehensive, fair, and impartial evaluation of proposals received in response to this request. The committee will identify assessments that meet the minimum technical characteristics required for inclusion on the existing approved assessment list.
Submission Process & Timelines
Please note that the following process and timeline information is subject to change.
| Timeline | Activity |
|---|---|
| May 11, 2026 5:00 p.m. CT | Vendor questions due: Vendor Questions (Spring 2026 Literacy) |
| May 15, 2026 | Department responses posted |
| May 29, 2026 5:00 p.m. CT | Submissions Due:
|
| July 1, 2026 | Early Literacy Assessment list posted. Vendors notified. |
Submission Checklist
- Request for Approval (RFAP) Submission Form (Literacy) (118.59 KB) .docx , one per assessment submitted.
- Supporting resources referenced as evidence in the submission (e.g., user guides, technical manuals, technical reports) are submitted as PDFs with the proposal.
- There are no more than 10 total supporting attachments per submission. The maximum for each attachment is 10 MB, for a total of 100 MB.
- If submitting multiple measures that stand alone, each is described and supported separately per Submission Form.