Describes four inventories in summary form to allow the reader to identify the ones that might best suit the assessment purposes and needs. (MG)

Reviews the literature in the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) on diagnosing reading difficulties through the use of informal reading inventories. (RB)

A study of the extent to which two popular Published Reading Inventories (PRIs) identify the same instructional level when administered to 50 children in grades 1 through 7 demonstrate a significant lack of congruence between the instruments, particularly at the intermediate grade levels. (Author/CL)

Notes that the main problem with using Informal Reading Inventories (IRIs) for measuring reading growth is that running records and miscue analyses are gathered on variable levels of text that are appropriate for each child. Presents several possible solutions to the measurement problem beyond the simple profile descriptions usually reported from…

A study analyzed the validity of inferential, cause/effect, and main idea questions which were asked in five selected commercial informal reading inventories (IRIs). The inventories were "Analytical Reading Inventory (3rd Edition),""Basic Reading Inventory (4th Edition)"; "Burns and Roe Informal Reading Inventory (3rd…

Supports the practice of requiring two readings of developmental reading lessons when using the Informal Reading Inventory to determine reading ability. (RB)

Contains a review and discussion of the informal reading inventory which is one of the most widely accepted techniques in the diagnosis of reading problems. (RB)

The Informal Reading Inventories included in this booklet are designed to determine the independent, instructional, and frustration levels of a student. An inventory may be used as a quick means of determining the reading levels for a new student, as a means of determining reading groups, and as a simple diagnostic tool for determining deficient…

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)

Argues that informal reading inventories fail on several points to provide accurate and reliable scores on the subskills of reading. Asserts that the inventories cannot properly be used to assess children's specific strengths and weaknesses. (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)

Describes a new system for scoring informal reading inventories that helps eliminate problems inherent in other scoring systems. (DD)

Discusses characteristics reading passages must have if they are to be used for main idea assessment. Analyzes each grade one to grade six passage on the Analytical Reading Inventory, Basic Reading Inventory, and Informal Reading Inventory, assessing suitability for use in main idea assessment. Finds many passages are unsuitable. (MM)