This chapter discusses various methods of assessing reading performance. It explains the importance of using multiple assessment indicators to build a corroborative framework for decision making. Both formal assessments, like standardized tests, and informal assessments, such as running records and miscue analysis, are described. The chapter also covers portfolio assessment and how it has become an important tool along with other forms of assessment.

1. Chapter Six
Assessing Reading
Performance
J. Vacca, R. Vacca, Gove, Burkey, Lenhart, McKeon, Reading and
Learning to Read, 9/e, ISBN: 0133571025
© 2015, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
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2. J. Vacca, R. Vacca, Gove, Burkey, Lenhart, McKeon, Reading and
Learning to Read, 9/e, ISBN: 0133571025
© 2015, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
6 - 2

3. In this chapter, you will discover
and be able to:
• Rationalize the importance of utilizing multiple assessment indicators.
• Compare the perspectives that support the use of high-stakes testing
to the use of authentic assessments.
• Justify the purposes of utilizing formal testing for literacy assessment.
• Explain the commonalities between various informal assessments.
• Discuss the essential components of portfolio assessment as well as
how to manage the portfolio process.
• Reflect upon how literacy assessment has changed over the years
and will continue to do so.
J. Vacca, R. Vacca, Gove, Burkey, Lenhart, McKeon, Reading and
Learning to Read, 9/e, ISBN: 0133571025
© 2015, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
6 - 3

4. Key Terms
• Anecdotal notes
• Authentic assessment
• Checklist
• Criterion-referenced tests
• Developmental Reading
Assessment (DRA)
• Diagnostic test
• Digital portfolio
• Dynamic Indicators of Basic
Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS)
• Formative assessment
• High-stakes testing
• Informal assessment
• Informal reading inventory (IRI)
J. Vacca, R. Vacca, Gove, Burkey, Lenhart, McKeon, Reading and
Learning to Read, 9/e, ISBN: 0133571025
© 2015, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
• Kidwatching
• Miscue analysis
• Norms
• Portfolio
• Reliability
• Retelling
• Running record
• Self-assessment
• Standardized reading
test
• Survey test
• Validity
• Words Correct per
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5. Toward a Corroborative Framework for
Decision Making
•Use multiple indicators of student performance for
assessment.
•Multiple indicators build a corroborative framework that
strengthens decision-making.
J. Vacca, R. Vacca, Gove, Burkey, Lenhart, McKeon, Reading and
Learning to Read, 9/e, ISBN: 0133571025
© 2015, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
6 - 5

6. Trends in Assessment
• High-Stakes Testing
• Authentic Assessment
• Formal Assessment
• Standardized Tests
o Types of tests
o Types of Scores
o Uses of Standardized tests
• Criterion-Referenced Tests
J. Vacca, R. Vacca, Gove, Burkey, Lenhart, McKeon, Reading and
Learning to Read, 9/e, ISBN: 0133571025
© 2015, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
6 - 6

7. Bell Curve Showing
Standard Deviation
J. Vacca, R. Vacca, Gove, Burkey, Lenhart, McKeon, Reading and
Learning to Read, 9/e, ISBN: 0133571025
© 2015, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
6 - 7

8. Informal Assessment
• Informal Reading Inventories
• Analyzing Oral Reading Miscues
• Running Records
J. Vacca, R. Vacca, Gove, Burkey, Lenhart, McKeon, Reading and
Learning to Read, 9/e, ISBN: 0133571025
© 2015, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
6 - 8

9. Miscue Analysis
Miscues are generally significant in the following instances:
When the meaning of the sentence or passage is significantly
changed or altered and the student does not correct the miscue
When a non-word is used in place of the word in the passage
When only a partial word is substituted for the word or phrase in the
passage
When a word is pronounced for the student
J. Vacca, R. Vacca, Gove, Burkey, Lenhart, McKeon, Reading and
Learning to Read, 9/e, ISBN: 0133571025
© 2015, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
6 - 9

10. Types of Oral Reading Errors
Omission:
the reader omits a unit of written language
Substitution:
a real word is substituted for the word in the text
Mispronunciation:
the word is pronounced incorrectly
Insertion:
a word is inserted in the passage
Repetition:
a word or phrase is repeated
Reversal:
the order of a word in the text is transposed
Pronunciation:
a word is pronounced for the reader
J. Vacca, R. Vacca, Gove, Burkey, Lenhart, McKeon, Reading and
Learning to Read, 9/e, ISBN: 0133571025
© 2015, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
6 - 10

11. Determining Reading Levels
Independent level: The level at which the student reads fluently with
excellent comprehension.
Instructional level: The level at which the student can make
progress in reading with instructional guidance.
Frustration level: The level at which the student is unable to
pronounce many of the words or is unable to comprehend the material
satisfactorily.
Listening capacity level: The level at which the student can
understand material that is read aloud.
J. Vacca, R. Vacca, Gove, Burkey, Lenhart, McKeon, Reading and
Learning to Read, 9/e, ISBN: 0133571025
© 2015, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
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12. A Sample Coded Running Record
J. Vacca, R. Vacca, Gove, Burkey, Lenhart, McKeon, Reading and
Learning to Read, 9/e, ISBN: 0133571025
© 2015, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
6 - 12

13. Reading Levels Determined by Running
Records
Reading Level Percentage Correct
Independent 95 to 100 percent
Instructional 90 to 94 percent
Frustration below 90 percent
J. Vacca, R. Vacca, Gove, Burkey, Lenhart, McKeon, Reading and
Learning to Read, 9/e, ISBN: 0133571025
© 2015, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
6 - 13

14. Portfolio Assessment
• Essential Elements of Portfolios
• Implementing Portfolios in the Classroom
• Kidwatching While Teaching
J. Vacca, R. Vacca, Gove, Burkey, Lenhart, McKeon, Reading and
Learning to Read, 9/e, ISBN: 0133571025
© 2015, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
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