How can I determine my child's reading level today and find just the right books for him or her to be reading?

It only takes a few minutes to have your child read a story as you take note of any mistakes. Then simply enter the number of mistakes into the Level Estimator form and click "Estimate Level". The results can help you make more accurate book selections for your child. 

Estimator A

 

Estimator B

 

 

 

 

 As your child reads you need to observe his or her behaviors and make take a few notes as outlined here:

If your child does this:

Make this notation:

Reads the word accurately

Do nothing or check off each word.

Substitutes an incorrect word. For example, the child reads dog but says,"dig".

Write the called word above the text word. This would count as a mistake.

Inserts a word

Use a caret ( ^ ) where the word was inserted and write word.This would count as a mistake.

Omits a word

Circle the word that was omitted. This would count as a mistake.

Hesitates upon a word

Pause, then count one (1) full second for each letter in the word, then if your child still does not attempt the word you may TELL him or her the word. If you do this then write a "T " above the word you told. This would count as a mistake.

Self correction For example, the child reads dog but says,"dig". Then says,"dog".

Write "SC" above word. NOTE: This would not count as a mistake.

 

 

 

A note about Comprehension....

Comprehension is crucial throughout each session. After the child reads a selection aloud or silently ask him or her to tell you what happened in the story. An excellent response would naturally include answers to the 5 W's and an H (Who, What, Where, When, Why and How). A very good response would have the child answering the first four or more of your questions based upon the 5 W's and an H (that would be at least Who, What, Where, and When). Therefore, weaker responses would leave out three or more of these key components. If your child is recognizing 92% or more of the words in the story (word recognition) yet does not understand what s/he has read (comprehension) you may wish to contact a literacy specialist in your area for further assessment and to obtain suggestions for improvement.

Here's how the Level Estimator works: After making the appropriate selection below you will be presented with a reading passage. Have your child look at any images that accompany the passage. Give your child a minute or two to look the selection over. It is OK to have a brief discussion about the picture as it may relate to any past experiences the child has had. This is important for helping him or her feel a bit more comfortable and for the activation of prior knowledge s/he brings to the story today. Print a copy of the story so that you can take notes during your child's oral reading.

To begin, select the grade level most appropriate to your child. Start with Level Estimator A. If you come back to this site to recheck your child within a 3-6 week period select Level Estimator B. If you already know your child's reading level you should consult the Book Browser directly for lists of books at specific reading/interest levels.

 

 

Level Estimator A

 

Level Estimator B


 

 

 

 

 

 

This is one method of estimating a student's current reading level. No claims are made as to the superiority or accuracy of this measure over other measures that may be used by qualified literacy specialists. This is provided for your assistance in monitoring your student's reading growth and in selecting appropriate books for him or her. No other purpose is expressed or implied.
 

Level Estimator ©2000, Liverpool Central School District