Using a Convergence of Data to Determine Individual Student Reading Profiles
Key Concepts
Use a convergence of assessment data to make decisions regarding student profiles and instruction.
Screening assessments are meaningful and necessary to get a quick snapshot of the entire school, grade level or classroom. However, within each broad category, there can be a diverse range of skills. It is critical to go deeper to determine what instructional practices or materials will meet the needs of these diverse learners. Effective use of assessment data will help identify students who are in need of additional differentiated reading instruction beyond the established reading block.
Use a phonics screener and/or conduct an error analysis to determine specific decoding needs.
Although a grade level screening instrument can help determine the general overall performance of students, these instruments do not provide enough information for detailed instructional planning. A phonics screener and other diagnostic tools can help provide the necessary information needed to plan decoding instruction for individual students whose reading skills are below grade level.
The process for placing students into instructional profiles is flexible.
As students gain more skills throughout a school year, their achievement data will look much different. This will result in a change in their instructional profile.
Professional Development Presentation
- Part 1 (9:21)
Once student instructional profiles are determined, you are ready to plan how your school will group students to provide differentiated reading instruction. Several options for organizing a school’s reading block are presented, including scenarios for grouping students within a classroom and between classrooms in a grade level. You will see creative solutions that maximize resources and maintain flexible groupings – a key piece to improving student reading achievement.
Apply the Concepts
Practice Activities
1. Using Data to Identify Instructional Profiles
Look at the screening data provided for eight second grade students at the beginning and middle of the school year. Then study the results of the phonics and decoding screener on the second page. Using the information you learned in the presentation, along with the Instructional Profiles Overview handout found within the resources section of this module, identify the correct Instructional Profiles for each student along with specific skills that each needs to work on.
Resources
1. Generic Phonics Screener
2. Instructional Profiles Overview
This resource provides an overview of the six major instructional profiles. Included is a flow chart depicting the decision-making process in assigning student profiles, a description of each instructional profile, and instructional notes matching each of the six profiles.