OFFICE OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS

Monitoring Instructional Reading Level Tip Sheet

Data Collection

Create a data collection/running record form that includes charts and matrices from
Determining Instructional Reading Level document so all the information is in one location.

Develop reading data folders with reading data sheets that follow students from grade to
grade.

Generate or use a consistent running record format within school.

Data Entry

Record notes in comprehension notes section of online data tool to indicate next steps, level of
prompting and support, student learning, etc.

Email reminders to grade-level teams.

Keep all reading data sheets alphabetically by student and align organization of data with
monitoring tool to support data entry.

Set aside time to enter data weekly.

Collect data throughout the month but enter all data at the end of the month.

Monitoring Comprehension

Develop and discuss comprehension questions collaboratively during common team planning.

Develop comprehension questions related to the instructional focus of the lesson.

Write comprehension questions on data collection sheet or planning sheet and collect
anecdotal notes on the planning sheet.

Use the same comprehension questions for the assessed student and others in the same
reading group.

Use multiple ways to gather comprehension data: one-on-one discussion, during peer
discussion, during small group lessons, part of meaningful follow-up, in written form.

Office of Curriculum and Instructional Programs

Reading Specialist Meeting April 2015
Distributed Elementary Principals Curriculum Update Meeting May 2015

OFFICE OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS

Scheduling

Create a calendar or schedule of students to assess daily.

Assess one child from each group every day.

Choose student for assessment prior to meeting with group.

Designate a reading chair right next to teacher for student who is reading with the teacher that
day.

Regroup students based on data.

Make calculations, analysis, anecdotal notes during group transition times.

Examples of professional development reading specialists provided or plan to provide for

teachers in pilot schools:

Provide refresher on reading running records, beyond calculating accuracy, by analyzing

miscues and using the information to inform instruction (possibly during scoring workshops).

Embed professional development in weekly collaborative planning; identify the indicator,

determine what students need to know or be able to do, select comprehension strategy,
generate questions, and plan guided reading lessons.

Coach teachers to make monitoring instructional reading level a natural part of guided reading.

Identify which skills and strategies students need in order to master an indicator.

Bring data to planning meeting in order to discuss teaching points, analyze student needs, and
develop comprehension questions.

Conduct one-on-one conference/coaching sessions with teachers.

Plan with and train team leaders to lead and support work on literacy.

Model planning for, and instruction of, guided reading.

Schedule peer visits during guided reading.

Office of Curriculum and Instructional Programs

Reading Specialist Meeting April 2015
Distributed Elementary Principals Curriculum Update Meeting May 2015