Reading Diagnostics

What diagnostics measure and why are they helpful?

Giving a diagnostic allows your tutoring to be more impactful. It's critical to develop a quick profile on your student, as it identifies strengths and areas for improvement. Our reading diagnostic process is outlined below, it measures oral fluency, reading comprehension, and phonics. Spotting weaknesses in any of these concepts and working to correct them with your student can IMPROVE THEIR ENTIRE PATH THROUGH EDUCATION by decreasing the stress of school and improving their college prospects. Working on reading skills invests in the student, and the benefits will build off each other over time. At first, it's hard to put together lessons and gain confidence as a tutor, but focusing on strengths and areas for improvement is an easy way to build a structure.

How to give a diagnostic? (read then watch the video)

You'll give two diagnostics, the first at the grade level of your student and second one grade level above them. Click the buttons below to find testing materials for each grade level. In each file, you'll find:

  • One word list (for the student, measures phonics)

  • One passage (for the student, measures oral fluency, reading comprehension)

  • One word list answer recording sheet (for you)

  • One passage for marking up with comprehension questions questions (for you)

Printing out the tutor materials is helpful, remember that you are only sharing the student materials with the student. Below is a video outlining the process in greater detail!

Move on to the "Reading Diagnostic Interpretation" page to learn more about how to use this information.

ReadingDiagnosticHowToVideo.mp4

***If your student is in high school, no reading diagnostic tests are available or relevant; the focus should be on helping your student with classes. Still collect a writing sample, and think about strengths and weaknesses. At first, it's hard to put together lessons and gain confidence as a tutor, but focusing on strengths and areas for improvement is an easy way to build a structure.