Reading Assessment
CONTENT :
what is a reading Assessment?
When we use the word assessment in education, we are talking about a method that uses a description of a student's skill or concept. They are sometimes called tests. We're tested in many ways in our lifetime, from reading out loud to a teacher in elementary school to navigating a road test to get our driver's license. Assessments are just a part of life.State the significance of reading assessment
- Assessments are the tools and methods used by educators to improve student learning.
- The purpose of reading reviews is to provide feedback on skills, practices, and knowledge resources that represent reading abilities. Reading assessment has great power to inform researchers, educators, administrators, and policymakers. Diagnostic methods can significantly benefit the learning environment.
- Assessments are vital tools for reading teachers, as they navigate reading instruction. While overarching themes and skills can be taught to a group of children at the same time, such as letter sounds or main ideas, the fact is that each individual child is unique and will therefore learn at a different pace.
- Reading assessments help educators on a day-to-day basis. Knowing a child's specific abilities allows a teacher to place students in appropriate reading groups and create center work that promotes specific skill development. Continued informal assessments allow for flexible movement within these instructional groups as students progress and their needs change.
- Assessments also give teachers information about which students are in need of additional help, perhaps requiring interventions if the child is lacking basic skills or further screenings to see if a child has special needs, such as dyslexia.
Types of Reading Assessment (various reading Assessments )
An effective, comprehensive reading program includes reading assessments for four purposes:
- Screening - Designed as a first step in identifying children who may be at high risk for delayed development or academic failure and in need of further diagnosis of their need for special services or additional reading instruction.
- Diagnostic - Helps teachers plan instruction by providing in-depth information about students' skills and instructional needs.
- Progress Monitoring - Determines through frequent measurement if students are making adequate progress or need more intervention to achieve grade-level reading outcomes.
- Outcome - Provides a bottom-line evaluation of the effectiveness of the reading program in relation to established performance levels.
Screening Assessments
Purpose: To determine children who are likely to require additional instructional support (predictive validity).
When: Early in the academic year or when new students enter school.
Who: All students
Relation to instruction: Most valuable when used to identify children who may need further assessment or additional instructional support.
Diagnostic Assessments
Purpose: To provide specific information on the skills and strategy needs of individual students.
When: Following screening or at points during the year when students are not making adequate progress.
Who: Selected students as indicated by screening or progress monitoring measures or teacher judgment.
Relation to Instruction: Provided specific information on target skills; highly relevant.
Progress Monitoring Assessments
Purpose: Frequent, timely measures to determine whether students are learning enough critical skills.
When: At minimum 3 times per year at critical decision-making points.
Who: All students
Relation to Instruction: Indicates students who require additional assessment and intervention.
Outcome Assessments
Purpose: To determine the level of proficiency in relation to norm or criterion.
When: Typically administered at end of the year. Can be administered pre/post to assess overall growth.
Who: All students
Relation to instruction: Provides an index of overall efficacy but limited timely instructional information.