Decoding Inventory for Growth (D.I.G.) helps teachers turn phonics assessment into clear instructional action.
The D.I.G. is an easy-to-administer phonics assessment tool that helps educators collect meaningful data, identify student needs, and make more confident decisions about what to teach next.
Instead of sorting through scattered notes, paper forms, or unclear scores, teachers can quickly see where patterns are showing up and how to group students for more targeted instruction.
Watch assessment data become instructional clarity.
See how The D.I.G. helps teachers collect phonics data, spot patterns, understand student needs, and move toward targeted instruction with less sorting and less guesswork.
Product Walk-through Video
How The D.I.G. turns data into instructional clarity
Simple to administer.
Simple to score.
Simple to interpret.
The D.I.G. was designed to make phonics assessment feel more manageable, more useful, and easier to connect directly to instruction.
Simple to Administer
Use assessment in a way that fits real classroom routines without turning it into a major event.
Simple to Score
Move from student responses to usable data faster with less manual sorting and less friction.
Simple to Interpret
See what students need, where patterns are forming, and what instructional next steps make sense.
Clearer phonics data leads to clearer instructional decisions.
Start Using The D.I.G.See the shift from scattered data to clear instructional direction.
The D.I.G. helps teachers move from uncertainty and time-consuming planning into a clearer, more confident way to respond to student needs.
Data everywhere.
Clarity nowhere.
- Paper forms scattered across your desk
- Scores that still need interpretation
- Small groups that take too long to plan
- Too much guessing about who needs what
Turns assessment data into direction
You know what to teach, who needs it, and where to focus.
- Clear student strengths and needs
- Groups based on actual skill gaps
- Instructional decisions made faster
- More confidence in every next step
Stop spending so much time trying to figure out what the data means.
The D.I.G. helps teachers move from scattered phonics data to clearer instructional decisions, so you can group students faster, teach more strategically, and feel more confident in your next steps.
“I finally feel clear on what to teach—and why.”
Before The D.I.G., I had data, but I didn’t feel confident using it. I was constantly second-guessing my groups and spending too much time trying to figure out next steps.
Now I can actually see what my students need. My groups are more targeted, planning feels faster, and I feel much more confident in the instructional decisions I’m making.
Everything you need to assess, understand, and respond.
The D.I.G. brings phonics assessment and instructional decision-making into one clear system, so you can move from data collection to targeted support with less friction.
Easy-to-Administer Assessments
Assess individual students or groups with a system designed to fit real classroom routines while protecting instructional time.
Clear Insight Into Student Strengths & Needs
Quickly see which skills are secure, where support is needed, and what students are ready to learn next.
Whole-Group vs. Small-Group Clarity
Spot class-wide patterns and targeted skill gaps so instructional decisions become clearer and more strategic.
Student Grouping by Skill Need
Group students based on specific phonics needs rather than broad reading levels or unclear assessment scores.
Progress Monitoring Over Time
Track growth across the year, monitor changes in skill development, and adjust instruction with confidence.
Organized Assessment Data in One Place
Keep student data, assessment results, and progress monitoring organized without piles of paper or scattered notes.
One assessment tool. Clearer data. More targeted instruction.
The D.I.G. gives teachers a practical way to assess phonics skills, organize student data, and make instructional decisions without sorting through disconnected notes, spreadsheets, or paper forms.
The Decoding Inventory for Growth (DIG)
Built for teachers, specialists, coaches, schools, and teams.
- Full access to The D.I.G. assessments
- Individual and group scoring options
- Immediate insight into student strengths and needs
- Student progress reports
- Student grouping by similar needs
- Organized data for clearer instructional planning
School, team, and district pricing available. Request bulk pricing
Finally,
clarity about what to teach next.
The D.I.G. helps teachers move from phonics assessment data to clear instructional decisions, so planning feels faster, grouping feels easier, and support becomes more targeted.
Built for real classrooms, real schedules, and real instructional decisions.
Frequently asked questions about The D.I.G.
A quick look at how The D.I.G. works, who it supports, and how it helps make phonics assessment easier to use.
What is The D.I.G.?
The Decoding Inventory for Growth (D.I.G.) is a digital, formative phonics assessment designed to help teachers quickly identify students’ decoding strengths and needs — and use that information to guide instruction right away.
What makes The D.I.G. different from other phonics assessments?
Most assessments tell you how a student is performing. The D.I.G. helps clarify why — and what instructional next steps may make sense. It focuses on specific decoding skills, helps teachers see patterns clearly, and turns assessment data into actionable instruction.
Who is The D.I.G. designed for?
The D.I.G. is designed for classroom teachers, interventionists, specialists, tutors, schools, and instructional teams looking for clearer, more actionable phonics data.
What skills does The D.I.G. assess?
The D.I.G. assesses foundational decoding skill sets including CVC words, digraphs, blends, silent e (VCe), r-controlled vowels, long vowel teams, and other vowel teams.
Does The D.I.G. use real words or nonsense words?
Both — intentionally. The D.I.G. includes a mix of real and nonsense words within the CVC skill set only. Nonsense words are optional, allowing teachers flexibility based on instructional goals.
How is The D.I.G. administered?
Students read printed word lists aloud while teachers record responses inside the digital platform. No student device is required.
How long does assessment take?
A full assessment typically takes about 5–10 minutes per student. Targeted assessment of just a few skill areas is often under 5 minutes.
Do I need to assess every skill with every student?
No. The D.I.G. is designed for flexible use. Teachers can assess specific skill sets, stop when a need is identified, or reassess targeted areas after instruction.
Can The D.I.G. be used more than once during the year?
Yes. The D.I.G. is designed as a progress monitoring tool, not a one-time assessment. Teachers can reassess students using alternate versions and track growth over time.
What kind of data does The D.I.G. provide?
The D.I.G. provides color-coded, at-a-glance data that helps teachers quickly identify student strengths, instructional needs, class-wide patterns, and small-group opportunities.
Does The D.I.G. help with small groups?
Yes. The D.I.G. helps teachers group students by specific skill needs rather than broad scores or generalized reading levels.
Can The D.I.G. help with whole-group instructional decisions too?
Yes. When patterns appear across many students, teachers can identify opportunities for whole-group instruction. When needs are more targeted, teachers can respond with focused small-group support.
I already use a screener. Why would I need The D.I.G.?
Screeners are helpful for identifying risk, but they often leave teachers wondering what to teach next. The D.I.G. helps translate assessment information into clearer instructional decisions.
Will The D.I.G. add more to my plate?
Actually, it’s designed to reduce overwhelm. The D.I.G. simplifies scoring, organizes assessment data clearly, and helps teachers make faster instructional decisions with less guesswork.
What is included with an individual teacher license?
Individual licenses include access to all D.I.G. assessments, up to 30 student seats, individual and group scoring, progress reports, and instructional grouping support.
Is school or team pricing available?
Yes. School and team plans include expanded access, administrator visibility, teacher management tools, and tiered pricing options for larger groups.
Can I try The D.I.G. before purchasing?
Yes. Free trial access is available so educators can explore the platform and see how it fits within their instructional context.
