Students are assessed using the Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Reading Assessment System. A benchmark assessment system is a series of texts that can be used to identify a student's current reading level and progress along a gradient of text levels over time. The word "benchmark" means a standard against which to measure something.
It focuses on 4 key components of reading
the number of words the student reads correctly. A student's instructional level should be between 90-94%
the ability of readers to read the words in text effortlessly and efficiently (automaticity) with a meaningful expression that enhances the meaning of the text (prosody).
the ability of the student to monitor their reading and make corrections when necessary.
the ability of students to understand and make connections to the text. It is the most important aspect of student reading. This involves the ability to retell a story in their own words, answer questions within the text, draw conclusions about what they read, make connections between what they read and what they already know and make contextual connections to the real world. Students must think but also reason.
This assessment is important because you can:
Determine your students' independent and instructional reading levels.
Determine reading placement levels and group students for reading instruction.
Select texts that will be productive for student's instruction.
Assess the outcomes of teaching.
Assess a new student's reading level for independent reading and instruction.
Identify students who need intervention.
Document student progress across a school year and across grade levels.
Inform parent conferences.
All information taken from the Fountas and Pinnell Website.