Instructional reading level
Last updated
The instructional reading level is the text difficulty at which a student can read with teacher support, usually with about 90 to 95% word accuracy.
Topic: Reading and writing instruction
In plain terms
Text at the independent level is easy enough to read alone; text at the frustration level is too hard even with help. Instructional level sits between. Different measures and programs define the levels a bit differently, so the method used should be named. Students also need access to grade-level text through read-alouds and supports.
How it shows up in an IEP
Present levels may report an instructional level, and goals may measure fluency or comprehension at that level. Goals should still aim toward grade-level reading, not just a higher level number.
Example
A fifth grader reads third-grade passages with 94% accuracy and fourth-grade passages with 87%, so instruction uses third-grade text while fluency goals target fourth-grade probes.
Related terms
- Oral reading fluencyOral reading fluency is reading text aloud accurately, at a good rate, and with appropriate expression.
- Reading comprehensionReading comprehension is understanding and making meaning from text, by combining word reading, language knowledge and thinking skills.
- Grade equivalentA grade equivalent is a score that matches a student's raw score to the grade level at which an average student earned the same raw score.
- WCPM (words correct per minute)WCPM is the number of words a student reads correctly in one minute from a passage, used to measure oral reading fluency.
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