Ohio Department of Education Assessment Approval
Comprehensive Ohio Screening
The Exact Path diagnostic assessment is approved by the Ohio Department of Education for use as Ohio's K-3 Reading Diagnostic, K–3 Mathematics Diagnostic, 1-6 Dyslexia Screener, HQSD, and Gifted Identification Program. The Exact Path assessment adjusts to student responses in real time, identifying proficiency levels, measuring growth, and pinpointing skill gaps to inform instruction. See all approvals on the DEW website.
☑ K–3 Reading Diagnostic - Approved through 2030–31
Ohio districts and schools must annually assess the reading skills of every student in grades K–3 to determine whether students are reading at the level set by Ohio Learning Standards. Exact Path's reading diagnostic is a state-approved assessment tool that screens for risk of reading difficulties and dyslexia, giving educators the data they need to identify and plan supports for on-track and not on-track readers early.
☑ K–3 Mathematics Diagnostic - Approved through 2030–31
Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, Ohio districts must administer a mathematics diagnostic to all students in kindergarten through grade 3. Exact Path Mathematics is on the DEW-approved list, giving districts a state-recognized option to screen students for math difficulties, identifying unfinished learning, and using timely diagnostic data to guide targeted instruction.
With Exact Path's approved K–3 diagnostics, Ohio educators can:
- Meet both K–3 reading and math diagnostic requirements with one DEW-approved platform
- Screen for risk of reading difficulties and dyslexia as part of the reading diagnostic
- Identify unfinished learning and math difficulties early
- Turn screening results into personalized learning paths automatically
- Predict OST performance with research-backed diagnostic data
- Accelerate student growth with an ESSA Tier 2 proven intervention
Read the Ohio OST Linking and Correlational Studies
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High Quality Student Data (HQSD)
High Quality Student Data is used in Ohio to inform instruction and enhance teacher practice. Teacher evaluations require at least two measures of high-quality student data to provide evidence of student learning attributable to the teacher being evaluated. While HQSD includes the value-added progress dimension, it also allows teachers to use one other approved assessment, which is where Exact Path diagnostics can play a powerful role to guide instructional decisions for students.
Gifted Identification Assessments
Gifted identification assessments are used in Ohio to identify students who receive a qualifying score as gifted or showing potential for performing at remarkably high levels of accomplishment. Districts are required to evaluate students twice per year who are referred and whole-grade screening is completed once during the 3–6 grade band. In making these critical decisions, Exact Path diagnostics are an approved tool for identifying specific academic achievement in math and reading.
Dyslexia Screener for Grades 1-6 - Approved through 2025-26
The Exact Path diagnostic assessment is an Ohio-approved Tier 1 dyslexia screener, aligning with the state’s early literacy and dyslexia screening requirements. It provides educators with reliable data to identify students at risk and ensure timely intervention, supporting Ohio’s commitment to early identification and structured literacy instruction.
Exact Path's Support for Ohio Doesn't Stop Here
Exact Path's approvals in Ohio extend well beyond diagnostic assessments. It is also a DEW-approved K–12 Evidence-Based Reading Intervention and High-Quality Tutoring Program supporting Ohio students across all grade levels.