Chapter 3: Assessing Literacy Development
I: Overview
Assessment helps teachers judge their effectiveness and plan instruction. Chapter 3 helps pre-
service teachers understand and use portfolio assessment, running records, rubrics, informal
reading inventories, and other forms of assessment. The importance of preparing students for
high-stakes testing and using their results appropriately is discussed.
Chapter 3 Objectives
After reading this chapter, students should be able to:
1 Describe methods for determining a student’s reading level.
Chapter 3 Outline
Vignette: Mrs. McNeal Conducts Second Quarter Assessments
Introduction
CLASSROOM ASSESSMENT
• Determining Students’ Reading Levels
• Monitoring Students’ Progress
HIGH-STAKES TESTING
• Problems with High-Stakes Testing/Standardized Tests
PORTFOLIO ASSESSMENT
• Collecting Work in Portfolios
Review
II: Teaching Suggestions
Preview Questions
Chapter 3 introduces various forms of assessment. Use these questions to lead a discussion
before your students read chapter 3.
1. How can teachers give fair and accurate report card grades in reading?
2. Should all students be assessed in the same way?
Focus Questions
Pre-service teachers should consider the following questions as they read chapter 3.
1. Which assessment tools do teachers use to monitor students’ learning in reading and writing?
2. How do students use portfolios?
Class Activities
1. Bring a selection of trade books appropriate for students in the elementary school years. Ask
2. Your college students may have participated in portfolio assessment in their elementary or
After Class Activities
1. Review the text section on running records with the pre-service teachers in your class. As a
homework assignment, ask them to take a running record as an elementary student reads a
text. Discuss the results in class.
2. Many colleges are requiring their students to develop a portfolio of projects they completed
III. Resources
Related Readings
Encourage students to explore chapter 3 topics in more depth by reading the journal articles and
books listed below.
Online Resources
McREL Standards
Standards which address many grade levels and subject areas can be found at the website of the
Thinkfinity
The Thinkfinity website, maintained by the Verizon Foundation, provides free lesson plans,