This longitudinal study investigated children's performance on several informal reading and spelling tasks. Students (n = 274) in a rural North Carolina county were assessed across grades 2 to 6 on the following measures: isolated word recognition (timed and untimed), oral reading accuracy, reading comprehension, reading rate, and spelling.…

This book contains a collection of formal and informal reading assessments for use with students in Grades K-12. These assessments assist the teacher in targeting areas of strength and weakness, in monitoring student reading development, and in planning appropriate instruction. Unlike large-scale achievement tests, the majority of these…

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

According to this study using both physiological and word recognition error criteria to ascertain students' reading frustration level, repetitions should be counted as errors to obtain authentic reading level scores on informal reading inventories. (TO)

Briefly explains the use of informal reading inventories and reviews seven commercially-available instruments. Six of the inventories are intended for grades K-9, one for K-12. (SJL)

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

The idea of using the informal reading inventory (IRI) as a diagnostic instrument for placing children in their basal texts is a sound one. Traditional IRI's, however, based on random selection of passages from texts, tend to give inaccurate placements for children. This happens because the text pages do not always contain enough new words to…

Construction, administration, and interpretation of an informal reading inventory is, perhaps, too time consuming a task for the classroom teacher who may decide that other activities are more relevant. The informal reading inventory will probably be built into basal materials or into diagnostic batteries. However, the teacher can develop other…

Reviews the Secondary and College Reading Inventory, an informal reading inventory developed for students at and above the middle school level. Considers the inventory to be a useful resource in reading clinics, resource rooms, and general classrooms. (RS)

Designed for use in college-level reading methods courses, elementary and secondary classrooms, resource rooms, and reading clinics, this book presents an informal reading inventory and detailed instructions for its implementation. The fifth edition of book offers new instructions on how to use the text and administer, score, and interpret tests;…

Notes that the third edition of the Burns/Roe Informal Reading Inventory takes less time to administer. Reports an absence of data on the inventory's reliability. Concludes that if used to study, evaluate, or diagnose reading behaviors, the Burns and Roe IRI could be a popular and valuable tool. (RS)

Reviews the fourth edition of the Analytic Reading Inventory (ARI). Notes the addition of suggestions for diagnostic interpretation and teacher interpretations. Finds the ARI to be a convenient yet reliable diagnostic tool. (RS)

Discusses the use of Informal Reading Inventories (IRIs) in evaluating reading performance. Notes that although the IRI provides an in-depth evaluation of reading behavior, it should be used in conjunction with other information to assess reading ability. (MM)

Discusses guidelines for the construction of an informal inventory that focuses on text and reader characteristics and task demands. Gives examples from a sample inventory. Demonstrates how the inventory can be used to plan an instructional program. (RS)