Assessing Readers

The third edition of Assessing Readers continues to bridge the gap between authentic, informal, and formative assessments and more traditional quantitative and summative assessment approaches. Designed to assist educators and reading specialists in making informed decisions about not only what to assess, but also how, it provides teachers with a menu of qualitative assessment options, encouraging them to consider their own values and beliefs in light of the goals they have for the students they teach. Building on nearly four decades of theory, research, and practice, it is up to date with current research and offers specific assessment, instruction, and organizational ideas and strategies.

With an emphasis on comprehension, motivation and engagement, and developing strategic knowledge, Assessing Readers offers a road map for teachers trying to meet the demands of increasingly rigorous standards. Features include examples of student-centered assessment, ideas for organizing and managing differentiated instruction, sample lesson plans, and authentic case studies.

Accessible and practical, the third edition empowers pre-service and in-service teachers alike, encouraging them to think about the importance of their assessment and instructional choices and supporting them with the tools they need to achieve their goals and meet the needs of all students.

Changes in the Third Edition:

• A new focus on literacy development and developmentally responsive instruction
• Expanded coverage of emergent literacy and the assessment of foundational skills, including concepts about print, storybook reading, phonological and phonemic awareness, alphabet knowledge, and concept of word in text
• A new section on assessing vocabulary and morphological knowledge
• Expanded coverage of response to instruction/intervention (RTI)
• New information on assessment and instruction of culturally and linguistically diverse students
• Increased attention to issues of social justice, educational equity, and anti-bias practices

Rona F. Flippo is Professor of Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Massachusetts Boston, USA.

Kristin M. Gehsmann is Professor of Literacy Studies and Director of the School of Education at Virginia Tech, USA.

Juliet L. Halladay is Associate Professor in the Department of Education at the University of Vermont, USA.