Assessment Tools

Types of Assessments

Educators systematically use reading assessments to guide instructional decision-making for all students.  Four types of assessments are used to measure and monitor reading achievement.

• Benchmark Assessments: Screening assessments used with all students to determine who is performing at benchmark and who needs extra instructional support.  Benchmark assessments are typically given to all students three times per year—in the fall, winter, and spring. 
   Example: DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills)
• Diagnostic Assessments: Criterion-referenced assessments used to determine the skills and needs of a struggling reader. Diagnostic assessments are used to help match interventions to a student's needs and to monitor progress in specific skills. 
  ​ Example: Quick Phonics Screener
• Progress Monitoring Assessments: Valuable, sensitive, and reliable measurement tools used to determine whether the prescribed interventions are effective for students. Progress monitoring assessments are given regularly throughout the year (for example, weekly, biweekly, or monthly).
  ​ Example: Reading Fluency Progress Monitor
• Outcome Assessments: Annual, high-stakes statewide tests used to determine whether students have met grade-level standards. 
  ​ Examples: State-adopted high-stakes assessments and Common Core State Standards assessments