PALS is the state-provided screening tool for Virginia’s Early Intervention Reading Initiative (EIRI). The purpose of the EIRI is to reduce the number of children with reading problems through early diagnosis and immediate intervention. By screening K-3 students, participating school divisions identify struggling readers and receive incentive funds for intervention. All students not meeting the Entry Level benchmark for their grade level must receive intervention services in addition to their regular classroom instruction. Because of significant learning loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic, during the 2021-2022 school year all Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade and 3rd Grade students will be assessed during the fall, winter, and spring to help us closely monitor student growth and plan for Tier 1 small group reading instruction and Tier 2 reading intervention services.