Katherine A. Dougherty Stahl

This trusted text and teacher resource is now in a revised and updated fifth edition, reflecting key advances in the science of reading. It covers the “whys,” “whats,” and “how-tos” of systematic reading assessment in grades K-8. The authors provide a roadmap and practical tools for evaluating students’ strengths and needs in each component of reading, resulting in a seamless integration of assessment, evidence-based instruction, and intervention. Essential topics include evaluating the comprehension of beginning readers, assessing older struggling readers, supporting English learners, and preparing diagnostic reading reports. In a convenient large-size format, the book includes 30 reproducible and downloadable tools, plus an online-only appendix with an additional multipage assessment. New to This Edition Explicitly connects assessment guidelines to the science of reading. New chapter on morphology and significantly revised chapters on orthography and assessment of holistic reading. Aligns with the NAEP 2026 reading framework and definitions. Fully updated research, additional instructional resources, and two new assessments--Text Analysis Tool and Reading Engagement Scale.

This trusted text and teacher resource is now in a revised and updated fifth edition, reflecting key advances in the science of reading. It covers the “whys,” “whats,” and “how-tos” of systematic reading assessment in grades K-8. The authors provide a roadmap and practical tools for evaluating students’ strengths and needs in each component of reading, resulting in a seamless integration of assessment, evidence-based instruction, and intervention. Essential topics include evaluating the comprehension of beginning readers, assessing older struggling readers, supporting English learners, and preparing diagnostic reading reports. In a convenient large-size format, the book includes 30 reproducible and downloadable tools, plus an online-only appendix with an additional multipage assessment. New to This Edition Explicitly connects assessment guidelines to the science of reading. New chapter on morphology and significantly revised chapters on orthography and assessment of holistic reading. Aligns with the NAEP 2026 reading framework and definitions. Fully updated research, additional instructional resources, and two new assessments--Text Analysis Tool and Reading Engagement Scale.

Students in grades 3–6 need to use increasingly sophisticated comprehension skills and strategies as they read and build knowledge across disciplinary content areas. Grounded in research, this book presents effective practices for integrating literacy instruction with literature, science, and social studies. Chapters address text selection, vocabulary development, strategy instruction, discussion formats, writing to express and expand comprehension, assessment, and more. Ways to meet the needs of emergent bilingual and culturally diverse students are highlighted throughout. Ideal for preservice and inservice teachers and professional staff development, the book includes classroom vignettes, text boxes with easy-to-read instructional procedures, and curriculum resources. Helpful reproducible forms can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size. See also the authors' related book on the primary grades: Developing Reading Comprehension: Effective Instruction for All Students in PreK-2.

Students in grades 3–6 need to use increasingly sophisticated comprehension skills and strategies as they read and build knowledge across disciplinary content areas. Grounded in research, this book presents effective practices for integrating literacy instruction with literature, science, and social studies. Chapters address text selection, vocabulary development, strategy instruction, discussion formats, writing to express and expand comprehension, assessment, and more. Ways to meet the needs of emergent bilingual and culturally diverse students are highlighted throughout. Ideal for preservice and inservice teachers and professional staff development, the book includes classroom vignettes, text boxes with easy-to-read instructional procedures, and curriculum resources. Helpful reproducible forms can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size. See also the authors' related book on the primary grades: Developing Reading Comprehension: Effective Instruction for All Students in PreK-2.

Now in a revised and updated fourth edition, this accessible text has given over 125,000 preservice and inservice teachers vital tools for systematic reading assessment in grades K-8. The book explains how to use both formal and informal assessments to evaluate students' strengths and needs in all components of reading. Effective, engaging methods for targeted instruction in each area are outlined. In a convenient large-size format, the book includes 30 reproducible tools, plus an additional multipage assessment in an online-only appendix. Purchasers get access to a companion website where they can download and print the reproducible materials. New to This Edition Expanded coverage of the middle grades (4–8), including a new chapter and case study, and explicit attention to this grade range throughout; new coauthor Kevin Flanigan adds expertise in this area. New and expanded topics: computer-based testing methods, assessing academic language, and how to use reading inventories more accurately. Additional reproducible tools: informal reading inventory summary form, comprehension retelling forms for narrative and informational text, computer-based comprehension test comparison worksheet, revised Informal Decoding Inventory, and more.

Now in a revised and updated fourth edition, this accessible text has given over 125,000 preservice and inservice teachers vital tools for systematic reading assessment in grades K-8. The book explains how to use both formal and informal assessments to evaluate students' strengths and needs in all components of reading. Effective, engaging methods for targeted instruction in each area are outlined. In a convenient large-size format, the book includes 30 reproducible tools, plus an additional multipage assessment in an online-only appendix. Purchasers get access to a companion website where they can download and print the reproducible materials. New to This Edition Expanded coverage of the middle grades (4–8), including a new chapter and case study, and explicit attention to this grade range throughout; new coauthor Kevin Flanigan adds expertise in this area. New and expanded topics: computer-based testing methods, assessing academic language, and how to use reading inventories more accurately. Additional reproducible tools: informal reading inventory summary form, comprehension retelling forms for narrative and informational text, computer-based comprehension test comparison worksheet, revised Informal Decoding Inventory, and more.

Early literacy instruction typically emphasizes foundational skills--often at the expense of engaging young children in reading and supporting their comprehension of different types of texts. This book explains the essential elements of comprehension and shares a wealth of classroom-tested instructional practices. It presents developmentally informed strategies for scaffolding comprehension skills, using content to promote engagement, and implementing high-level discussions and writing tasks. Ways to teach and assess English learners and other diverse students are highlighted throughout. The book features explicit links to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) as well as helpful reproducible forms. Purchasers get access to a Web page where they can download and print the reproducible materials in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size. See also the authors' related book on the intermediate grades: Expanding Reading Comprehension in Grades 3-6.

From leading experts, this indispensable resource presents a practical model for conducting reading assessments for screening, diagnosis, and progress monitoring in each of the three tiers of response to intervention (RTI). K-8 teachers and school personnel are guided to use norm-referenced, informal, and curriculum-based measures to assess key components of reading development and make informed choices about instruction. The book describes how to survey existing assessment practices in a school and craft a systematic plan for improvement; reproducible tools include a 10-page RTI Assessment Audit that can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.See also Assessment for Reading Instruction, Third Edition, which explains the fundamentals of assessment and provides essential hands-on tools.

From leading experts, this indispensable resource presents a practical model for conducting reading assessments for screening, diagnosis, and progress monitoring in each of the three tiers of response to intervention (RTI). K-8 teachers and school personnel are guided to use norm-referenced, informal, and curriculum-based measures to assess key components of reading development and make informed choices about instruction. The book describes how to survey existing assessment practices in a school and craft a systematic plan for improvement; reproducible tools include a 10-page RTI Assessment Audit that can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.See also Assessment for Reading Instruction, Third Edition, which explains the fundamentals of assessment and provides essential hands-on tools.