Informal Reading Inventory Write up #1

Kerry Smith

Informal Reading Inventory Write up #1

Looking at the scores presented on *Hannah’s reading diagnosis summary sheet, I would say that her instructional level should be set at 5th grade, her independent level at 4th grade, and her frustration level at 6th grade. Looking at Hannah’s oral reading accuracy score for fifth grade we can see that she scored 94% which is in the gray area between instructional and frustration levels. With a score of 94%, however, Hannah is closer to the instructional side (95-97 %) than the frustration side (below 90%). Looking at Hannah’s flash score on this same level, we can see that she scored a 65, which is once again in the gray area, but is closer to the instructional side (75-85) than the frustration side (below 50%). Also, Hannah’s un-timed score on the word recognition test was a 95 for this level, which shows that she has the ability to decode the words on this level. The student’s comprehension score for the passage was 75%, which is just inside the instructional level. Finally, Hannah’s rate for this passage was 109 WPM which is slightly below the preferred range of 125-155 wpm for a fifth grade student.

Looking at the scores from the fourth grade level, I believe that Hannah’s independent level should be set at this level. Her oral reading accuracy, flash score, and rate are all within the preferred range. Her comprehension score is lower than what would normally be considered independent. But, considering this along with all of the other factors I would still be comfortable placing Hannah’s independent level at 4th grade.

Looking at the scores from the sixth grade level, I believe that Hannah’s frustration level should be set at this level. Looking at the scores, you can see that there is a significant amount of drop off between level 5 and 6. Hannah received an oral reading score of 94%, which is at the higher end of the gray area between instructional and frustration levels. Hannah also received a score of 60 on the flash portion of the word recognition test. This score is also in the gray area between the instructional and frustration levels. These gray area scores combined with her frustration level score in comprehension and slow rate lead me to believe that sixth grade is her frustration level.

Hannah’s spelling scores further support the levels in which I have placed her. She received an 80 on list four, which places her at the low end of the independent range. She received a 40 on list five, which places her within the gray area between instructional and frustration levels. Finally, she received a score of 5 on list 6, which clearly places her within the frustration level.

The only problems I can foresee with placing Hannah’s instructional level at the fifth grade level are her reading rates. Her oral reading rate is below the expected rate, while her silent rate is well above the expected rate. Her silent rate appears to have been rushed, however, judging from her low comprehension score on the passage. Hopefully, with instruction at this level, Hannah’s oral and silent rates will improve.

* The student’s name has been changed to ensure confidentiality