The authors discuss and evaluate the methods of assigning reading levels. They conclude that newer and more accurate standards must be found. (MR)

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…

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

Several factors which often invalidate the obtaining of independent, instruction, and frustration reading levels with informal reading inventories are discussed. The classroom teacher's inability to note and evaluate errors in performance was noted in research studies by Kender, Millsop, Ladd, and others. The oral reading at sight which is…

Reviews the literature and describes some of the confusion where reading levels overlap in informal reading inventories. (RB)

Two studies were conducted to investigate the use of a technique for providing a grade-level interpretation for cloze readability scores. In the first study, Bormuth's cloze-test criteria were compared with the results of the Fry and Dale-Chall readability formulae. A total of 133 students in grades 4 to 8 were required to read a 250-word passage…

The validity of Fry's Readability Graph for determining grade level readability scores was compared with the Spache Formula, the cloze technique, and oral reading in the case of seven primary-level books. Descriptions of these four indicated that to determine grade level, Fry's Readability Graph plots the total number of syllables with the total…

In this study the Graded Word List proved to be a poor indicator of fourth through eighth grade students' scores on an informal reading inventory. (MKM)

This survey of professional educators suggests that much uncertainty exists concerning the nature, use, and interpretation of informal reading inventories. (Editor)

This study investigated the feasibility of using only the McCracken Word List (MWL), a subtest of the Standard Reading Inventory (SRI), rather than the entire SRI to determine functional grade placement in reading. The MWL is one of the few word lists with well-documented reliability and validity. In addition, the MWL has been shown to be highly…

Presents a study in which subjects were tested by a cloze test to ascertain their instructional level in the content areas of social studies and science. Indicates that the cloze procedure is a helpful method of evaluating student reading levels. (TJ)