Year Long Assessment
As required by Houston Independent School District, Running Records are given Beginning of Year, Middle of Year, and End of Year. This assesses student reading levels A-Z. Running Records suggest leveling by age. For fourth the average is intended to be about letter Q- U.
Running Records
Running Records Open Windows for testing:
Beginning of Year: September 1-30
Middle of Year: December 1-22
End of Year: May 1-30
Students are assessed by reading passages aloud, retelling the information that was read, and answering comprehension questions.
All of my students have their Beginning of the year level and set goals for Middle of Year testing.
Running Records in Action
Read more about three of my students.
In an effort to minimize sources of bias and engage students in their growth, I allow students to select the genre of their Running Records assessment.
Trackers
The purpose of assessment is to generate feedback that will drive attainable goals to work toward. Our trackers show us our current standing, and were we are moving . Through awareness of today, we set daily action steps to reach our goals for tomorrow. At the beginning of the week, we have a quick goal setting circle where we brainstorm action items to work toward growth. For example, students might say, "I will read 20 minutes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and practice inferring." Our action items are specific to time allotment, skill, and frequency. This makes our work meaningful on a daily basis.
We have two trackers depending on levels. One ranges A-S and one I-Z. This is done deliberately so that students cannot tell which peers are below grade level. This empowers students of all levels to feel confident in growth over performance level.
Trackers in Use
These trackers engage learners in analyzing their own assessment results. Students frequently ask when they will be reassessed to see if they have grown. Students are leveled Beginning of Year, Middle of Year, and End of Year. They use their book boxes on a daily basis to hold their notebooks and leveled independent reading books. The frequency of use and exposure to their levels fosters an engaged, growth oriented, and enthusiastic collective mindset.
Our trackers also guide goal-setting objectives. By educator and student awareness of current academic levels, we discuss and set realistic growth goals to work toward daily. Students are cognizant their independent reading time at their own level is helping them reach their goals.
Reading A-Z. (n.d.). Level Correlation Chart. Retrieved from https://www.readinga-z.com/learninga-z-levels/level-correlation-chart/