What type of assessment measures a student's reading level using grade-level texts?

What type of assessment measures a student's reading level using grade-level texts?

• A. A reading comprehension test
• B. A running record
• C. An oral reading fluency assessment
• D. A standardized test

Answer: (B)

The most suitable answer is a running record. A running record specifically tracks a student's reading behaviors, fluency, and comprehension as they read a grade-level text aloud. It allows educators to determine not just the reading level of the student but also how they approach texts, including their ability to decode words, make meaning from the text, and use various reading strategies. By analyzing students' missteps and successes during the reading, educators can gain insight into their instructional needs. While reading comprehension tests, oral reading fluency assessments, and standardized tests can all provide information about a student's reading abilities, they may not include the detailed, ongoing observation of a student's reading process that a running record does. Reading comprehension tests often measure understanding after reading a text but do not track the actual reading process. Oral reading fluency assessments focus on how smoothly a student reads but may not fully capture their decoding strategies or comprehension. Standardized tests can provide a standardized measure of reading abilities across populations, but they do not offer the individualized insights gained through running records.

The most suitable answer is a running record. A running record specifically tracks a student's reading behaviors, fluency, and comprehension as they read a grade-level text aloud. It allows educators to determine not just the reading level of the student but also how they approach texts, including their ability to decode words, make meaning from the text, and use various reading strategies. By analyzing students' missteps and successes during the reading, educators can gain insight into their instructional needs.

While reading comprehension tests, oral reading fluency assessments, and standardized tests can all provide information about a student's reading abilities, they may not include the detailed, ongoing observation of a student's reading process that a running record does. Reading comprehension tests often measure understanding after reading a text but do not track the actual reading process. Oral reading fluency assessments focus on how smoothly a student reads but may not fully capture their decoding strategies or comprehension. Standardized tests can provide a standardized measure of reading abilities across populations, but they do not offer the individualized insights gained through running records.