Which of the following assessments provides a comprehensive evaluation of early literacy fundamentals?

The assessment that provides a comprehensive evaluation of early literacy fundamentals is PALS (Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening). This tool is designed to assess the literacy knowledge and skills of young learners in a thorough manner, measuring various components such as phonological awareness, alphabet recognition, and vocabulary. PALS focuses on essential early literacy skills that are critical for reading success, making it particularly effective for identifying strengths and weaknesses in a child's foundational literacy abilities.

In contrast, while other assessments like DIBELS, IRLA, and Fountas and Pinnell have their unique strengths, they may not cover the full spectrum of early literacy fundamentals as comprehensively as PALS. For example, DIBELS focuses specifically on the development of reading fluency and phonemic awareness. IRLA emphasizes individualized reading level assessments and instructional recommendations based on a student’s performance. Fountas and Pinnell are known for their guided reading assessments, which focus on text level and comprehension strategies rather than providing a broad overview of all foundational literacy skills.

Therefore, PALS stands out as a comprehensive tool designed to holistically evaluate and support early literacy development, making it the most suitable assessment for this purpose.