Reading Assessment for Different Purposes

An effective, comprehensive reading program includes reading assessments for four purposes:

• Outcome - Provides a bottom-line evaluation of the effectiveness of the reading program in relation to established performance levels.
• 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.
• Diagnosis - 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.

Purposes of Assessment in the Schoolwide Model

"Teaching without assessment is like driving a car without headlights."

Assessment for all children must:

1. Focus on essential, important skills
2. Be instructionally relevant
3. Be efficient to administer
4. Be sensitive to change in skill performance
5. Measure fluency of performance

DIBELS provide the feedback to ensure our program is meeting the needs of all children.