FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What is the best tool for assessing a student's oral reading skills?

1. Standardized test

2. Running record

3. Reading comprehension quiz

4. Group discussion

The correct answer is: Running record

The best tool for assessing a student's oral reading skills is a running record. A running record involves systematically observing and recording a student's reading behavior as they read a passage aloud. This tool provides immediate insights into various aspects of reading, including accuracy, fluency, and the ability to decode words. By analyzing the running record, educators can identify specific strengths and weaknesses in a student's oral reading skills, which allows for targeted instruction and support. In contrast, a standardized test typically evaluates reading skills through a set framework and often does not provide detailed insights into a student's oral reading abilities. A reading comprehension quiz focuses more on a student's understanding of the text rather than their oral reading execution. Group discussions may encourage student engagement and contribute to other literacy skills, but they do not specifically assess oral reading skills. The precision and detail obtained from a running record make it the most effective tool for this purpose.