Assessment for Reading Instruction

by Michael C. McKenna, Katherine A. Dougherty Stahl

Widely adopted for course use, this trusted teacher guide combines crucial background knowledge with hands-on tools. In a large-size format for easy photocopying, the book features more than two dozen reproducibles. It covers all the essentials of planning, administering, scoring, and interpreting a wide range of formal and informal assessments. Helpful examples illustrate effective ways to evaluate K/n-/8 students' strengths and weaknesses in each of the core competencies that good readers need to master.

See also Reading Assessment in an RTI Framework , which offers systematic guidance for conducting assessments in all three tiers of RTI.

Genres: Education, Professional Development, Teaching, Nonfiction, Textbooks, Grad School

290 pages, Paperback

First published July 9, 2003

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down the best textbook I have ever read and/or used. It is written in practical, everyday language and the assessments are easily implemented. It is one of the few textbooks I have actually read cover-to-cover.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty solid resource but it still left me feeling like a piece of the puzzle was missing. Still, a good overview of how to assess reading instruction.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very practical book for teachers who teach struggling readers.

[Valerie D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very straightforward and practical resource for teachers of reading. Some of the assessment strategies specifically target early readers, but there are a wide variety of assessments practices discussed that could be applicable at any age. Many of the assessment strategies function as practice and some chapters suggest additional teaching strategies to employ in response to assessment results. I thought the organization of the book was very clear cut and the writing, albeit a little dry, was to the point and avoided overloading on jargon. This book really helped me build confidence in my bank of knowledge and strategies as I heading into a new language arts teaching position!

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for a graduate course. Very helpful resource for assessing struggling readers. Even at the secondary level, this book gave me ideas for things to try out, in order to better pinpoint what my students' obstacles are.

[Jeanie Cullip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Difficult to follow through unorganized chapters; found better resources online to support rationale within the work of my Developmental Literacy course.

[Meredith M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good textbook; breaks down struggling readers issues I. A way that is understood by many. Missing how to test certain issues with reading before telling how to fix it.

[Clickety · Rating 1 out of 5]

There might be useful information in here, but I couldn't get past how dull it was. Or maybe I could've, but I was at the bookstore and there were others to page through.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very helpful for compiling a reading case study/diagnostic student portfolio.

[Christine Engelbrecht · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good once over guide for introducing emergent teachers to literacy assessments and practices

[Kellie Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book does a fantastic job explaining assessments needs and walking through what each assessment measures. It even includes assessment samples.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for a reading endorsement class. One of the more helpful and straightforward teaching books I've read. I liked all the assessments that it provided right in the book.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather boring, but it is a textbook so I guess that's expected. It does have some useful assessment tools and practical applications.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helps teachers begin to 'peel back the layers' of reading to determine what is getting in the way of comprehension.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot of useful information in this book. It can get a little dry and repetitive at times, but overall it was a good and fairly quick read.

[Natasha Keller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Filled with great reading assessments.

[Aim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough explanation of the types of assessments that you can conduct with struggling readers.

Content is focused on elementary students. Upper grades need support and attention.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous resource for reading specialists, Title 1 teachers, RtI coaches and especially teachers getting their reading endorsement.

[Amber Vance]

I learned a lot for assessments with this text. Actually worth my time reading.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great comprehensive resource. So close to finishing my license!