Assessments include periodic standardized tests, when appropriate, and ongoing informal evaluations that assist in determining the students abilities and needs, as well as, the effectiveness of instruction. Examples of informal assessment include self-monitoring, teacher observation of both oral and silent reading, student portfolios, and conferences with parents. Ideally second language learners are assessed in the language in which they are most proficient. The following assumptions guide the delivery of balanced reading instruction. Instruction includes information on how to use the structure of language and how to construct meaning from various texts.
Students read, write, and are read to on a daily basis.
Beginning readers practice fluency in predictable texts and decodable texts with phonetically regular patterns. A broad range of assessment informs teachers' instructional decisions. Instruction is based on knowledge of literacy acquisition. Teachers intervene early and quickly with appropriate instructional strategies when students do not progress. Effective reading instruction focuses on teaching each student rather than teaching a reading program.