Comprehension

1. Why is comprehension tricky to assess?

1.1. Comprehension is never all or nothing

1.2. In-head process, but can only be assessed using written or oral expression

2. Specific Examples and supports

2.1. Written Responses to text: Students should have many opportunities to write a response about what they read, should take on a variety of forms.

2.2. Maze: multiple choice variation of the close task, easy to administer and score

2.3. Questions: literal questions, inferential questions, critical questions, reading dependency

2.4. Word lists: students ability to pronounce words is correlated with reading comprehension and can be used to determine text levels

2.5. Close Assessments: Students fill in the blank, great for ESL learners, can be confusing to others.

2.6. Oral Retellings: details are used to gauge comprehension can lead to improved student recall but also has limitations, such as relying heavily on oral expressive ability

3. Strategy Instruction

3.1. -Explicit Strategy Instruction, thinki alouds, Student-generated questions, reciprocal questions, summary writing, reading guides, reciprocal teaching

4. Reasons To Assess Comprehension

4.1. Gauge the degree to which a student has a comprehended a particular selection

4.1.1. Chapter Test

4.1.2. Post Reading Assessments

4.2. Estimate general level of proficiency

4.2.1. IRI

4.2.2. Mastery tests to specific comprehension skills

4.2.2.1. Achievements

4.2.3. Achievement Tests

5. Three questions to assess comprehension difficulties

5.1. Is comprehension hindered by poor decoding?

5.1.1. Students who spend energy figuring out words may not have energy to devote to comprehension

5.2. Is comprehension hindered by limits prior knowledge and vocabulary

5.2.1. Students who do not have background knowledge, their comprehension will suffer

5.2.2. Is comprehension hindered by poorly developed strategies?

5.2.2.1. Students who dont have adequate methods to facilitate their own comprehension are less likely to be aware of the components involved