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Checking initial placement evaluates whether the learner’s level and goal are appropriate after he or she has completed the first three stories in the initial level. The following resources are available to help you work through this process:
Important! A teacher must be present for the first three cold timings in the initial level in order to ensure accurate data.
The criteria used for checking initial placement are based on averages of the learner’s scores for the first three stories. The averages that meet the criteria listed below indicate that the level or goal may be appropriate. Averages that do not meet these criteria indicate that a level or goal adjustment may be necessary.
Initial Level | WCPM Score |
---|---|
1.0 to 3.0 | 30 to 60 |
3.5 to 5.0 | 60 to 80 |
5.6 to 7.0 | 80 to 100 |
8.0 | 100 to 140 |
Note: Checking initial placement should occur after the first three stories. However, if done after story 4, 5, or 6, use the scores from the most recent three stories. The Initial Placement Ranges table is no longer valid after six stories.
In order to check the learner’s initial level and goal, locate the scores from the first three stories on the learner’s graphs. Use these scores to calculate the following:
You can use the Checking Initial Placement Calculator for these calculations.
To see if the learner’s initial level is appropriate, analyze the relationship between the initial placement range and two of the values you calculated in Step 1 above—the average cold-timing score and the percent correct on the first attempt of the comprehension questions.
If the average cold timing score is... | If the average percent correct on the comprehension questions is... | ||
---|---|---|---|
80% or higher: Level may be appropriate | 60–79%: Level may challenging* | 59% or lower: Level may be too difficult* | |
Above placement range: Level may be too easy | Raise level | Continue level | Lower level |
Within placement range: Level may be appropriate | Continue level | Continue level | Lower level |
Below placement range: Level may be too difficult | Lower level | Lower level | Lower level |
If the initial level is... | 0.81 / 1.02 | 1.3 / 1.5 | 1.8 / 2.0 | 2.3 / 2.5 | 2.6 / 2.7 / 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 5.6 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 8.03 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Raise to... | 1.5 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 5.6 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 |
Lower to... | 0.8 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 5.6 | 6.0 | 7.0 |
Note: If the learner’s earliest phonics need cannot be met in the level that is appropriate for his or her fluency needs, assign a Read Naturally Encore II level that matches the learner’s fluency needs and support phonics separately. (Consider using Word Warm-ups to address the phonics need in this case.)
Grade | Guideline |
---|---|
Grade 4 and below | Add 30 to the learner’s wcpm score for the selected level and round down to the nearest 5. |
Grade 5 and above | Add 40 to the learner’s wcpm score for the selected level and round down to the nearest 5. |
Note: After the learner completes three stories in the new level with the new goal, begin the process of checking placement (level and goal) again.
If the student continues in the same level, your next step is to check the initial goal. For this step, you will need to look at the initial goal and three of the values calculated in Step 1 above. How the average cold timing score and average hot-timing score compare to the goal and whether the average number of practices is appropriate are important signs indicating whether the initial goal is too low, appropriate, or too high.
Too Low | Appropriate | Too High |
---|---|---|
The student’s goal is lower than, at, or too close to the average cold-timing score:
| The student’s goal is an appropriate amount above the average cold-timing score:
| The student's goal is too far above the average cold-timing score:
|
The student’s average hot-timing score is more than 10 words above the goal. | The student’s average hot-timing score is 0–10 words above the goal. | The student's average hot-timing score is below the goal. |
The student’s average number of practices is less than 3. | The student’s average number of practices is 3 to 10. | The student’s average number of practices is more than 10. |
Too Low | Appropriate | Too High | Suggested Action |
---|---|---|---|
3 | 0 | 0 | Raise goal |
2 | 1 | 0 | Raise goal |
2 | 0 | 1 | Raise or continue goal |
1 | 2 | 0 | Raise or continue goal |
1 | 1 | 1 | Continue goal |
1 | 0 | 2 | Continue or lower goal |
0 | 3 | 0 | Continue goal |
0 | 2 | 1 | Continue or lower goal |
0 | 1 | 2 | Lower goal |
0 | 0 | 3 | Lower goal |
If you decide to adjust the goal, use the Setting an Adjusted Goal table below to set a new goal.
Grade | Guideline |
---|---|
Grade 4 and below | Add 30 to the learner’s average cold-timing score for the selected level and round down to the nearest 5. |
Grade 5 and above | Add 40 to the learner’s average cold-timing score for the selected level and round down to the nearest 5. |
IMPORTANT: If the new goal is above the average hot-timing score, consider setting the goal at or slightly below the average hot-timing score. As the student completes more stories and his or her cold timings improve, you will increase the goal.
You have now completed the checking initial placement process.
Note: After the learner completes the next three stories in the level, check the goal again.
Please let us know what questions you have so we can assist. For Technical Support, please call us or submit a software support request.