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Selecting an Assessment

Considerations When Selecting an Assessment of Reading Readiness

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Decisions about reading readiness assessment may be best made through a collaborative process including district reading specialist, director of instruction, director of pupil services, and educators (including general and special educators). The team might consider:

  • How closely the assessment reflects the school/district’s vision for literacy
  • What elements of reading readiness the assessment measures (including phonemic awareness and letter sound knowledge)
  • How information gathered from the assessment can inform instruction
  • Where and how an assessment fits within the school/district’s larger strategic assessment system
  • Developmental needs of children in four-year-old kindergarten to second grade
  • To what extent the assessment meets the needs of a varied student population, including English language learners and students enrolled in special education programs
  • Ease of reporting results to parents or guardians
  • Administration protocols
  • Technical qualities of the assessment, such as reliability and validity
  • Cost of the assessment (including technology, administration costs, and related professional development/training)