Oral Reading Fluency: Accuracy of Assessing Errors and Classification of Readers Using a 1-Min Timed Reading Sample

Abstract

Children in general education are classified by measures of oral reading fluency (ORF) to determine the level of support needed for reading. In addition, teachers use ORF measures with children who receive special education services to determine whether they are making progress toward their reading goals. In this descriptive study, the authors examined the accuracy of scoring for the 45 preservice teachers using the ORF subtest of the Dynamic Indicator of Basic Early Literacy Skills (R. H. Good & R. A. Kaminski, 2002) for 1st- and 6th-grade readers. Preservice teachers correctly classified a 1st-grade reader by using cutoff points. However, 48.8% of preservice teachers incorrectly classified the 6th-grade reader when an alternative classification was more appropriate. The authors make practical recommendations for teachers to ensure accuracy of scoring with timed reading measurements.

Keywords:

• curriculum-based measurement
• cutoff points
• first-and sixth-grade readers
• oral reading fluency
• timed reading and measurements