The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) were adopted by most states by 2010. Yet, many teachers still lack confidence in their ability to integrate these standards into their classroom instruction and this uncertainty undermines their effectiveness. This article presents findings from a study of a fourth grade literacy curriculum informed by the…

In order for students to learn how to construct meaning from text, teachers must apply instructional strategies that will help readers transition from simple decoding of words to fluent word identification. This article will provide an overview of the literature related to the role of fluency in reading; explain research-based recommendations for…

Reports on a survey which indicates that classroom teachers rarely use the Informal Reading Inventory--a diagnostic and placement instrument for reading comprehension long recommended by teacher trainers. Suggests that teacher trainers focus on other more efficient means of obtaining reading diagnosis. (ARH)

Confirms previous findings that the word recognition criterion for instructional reading level should be set at about 95 percent for students reading at grade levels one through six. (FL)

Describes a procedure that allows teachers to identify and order the instructional needs of children through the use of an informal reading inventory. (FL)

When using an informal reading inventory, the teacher needs to keep in mind that the quality of a reader's miscues is more important than the quantity, and that apparent problems in word recognition may often be the difference between of a good use of context or a failure to make good use of context. (HOD)

Presents a study which examines elementary school students' performance on the JAT (Joels, Anderson, and Thompson) Reading Inventory, noting variable student performance on the different question types. Reports that the validity of the JAT as a diagnostic instrument is established. (ARH)

Six informal diagnostic procedures are outlined to assist teachers in assessing how well their students may be able to read assigned readings. The procedures are observation, simplified reading inventory, cloze procedure, informal reading inventory, group reading inventory, and criterion-referenced tests. (MKM)

Compares second grade and fifth grade students' recreational reading levels (when students self-select library books for recreation reading) in relation to independent, instructional, and frustration levels as determined with an informal reading inventory. Concludes that recreational reading levels should not be viewed as synonymous with…

Suggests that informal reading inventories (IRIs) should include both narrative and expository passages. Describes a study of several reading inventories indicating that some current secondary school IRIs have been constructed with some consistency of text types, but failed to reveal a clear picture of text structure for the inventories. (HTH)

Examines 12 commercially prepared informal reading inventories and discusses the advantages and disadvantages, as well as the unique features of each. (FL)

Emphasizes the importance of looking at the quality of a reader's miscues, rather than the quantity; presents an approach to analyzing a reader's miscues and determining what kinds of instructional approaches might be appropriate for that reader. (MAI)

Describes procedures for constructing and administering informal reading measures on the secondary level and discusses the proper analysis of the test results. (MAI)

Discusses the evaluation and testing procedures schools use to evaluate and test reading achievement. Identifies three major categories of tests: achievement/survey, diagnostic, and informal reading inventories. (AEW)

Cautions that weighting errors on an oral reading test in line with miscue analysis procedures can lead to inappropriate independent reading level placement. (MKM)