Assessment for Reading Instruction

“An essential reference for teachers, coaches, and teacher educators. The authors provide a comprehensive guide to assessment, including important contextual information as well as practical tasks and questions for assessment. The fifth edition features critical updates pertaining to the science of reading. The new chapter on morphology is a particularly valuable addition. Overall, the coherent, measured approach and balanced attention to younger and older readers makes this a go-to text for all of us who want to thoughtfully administer and interpret literacy assessments.”

—Dixie D. Massey, PhD, School of Education, Seattle Pacific University


“In its fifth edition, this book remains one of the most comprehensive and accessible resources for educators dedicated to improving student literacy outcomes. It offers updated research, practical tools, and clearly explained assessment strategies. The book provides essential context for understanding how and why we assess literacy. It guides readers through the core components of reading and clearly explains the purpose and process of assessing each area. By connecting assessment to instruction, the fifth edition empowers educators to make informed, evidence-based decisions that will foster measurable growth in students’ reading abilities.”

—Katie Pace Miles, PhD, Associate Professor and Director, Advanced Certificate in Reading Science, Brooklyn College of the City University of New York


“A comprehensive, practical, ‘must-have’ resource. The fifth edition connects each assessment to the latest science-of-reading research. The first chapter alone should be required reading for all teacher prep candidates and should be used in district-wide trainings. The authors’ three-pathway cognitive model offers a reliable way to fully assess each student’s needs and includes valuable next-step advice. The authors have hit it out of the park with this easy-to-use, teacher-friendly fifth edition!”

—Wiley Blevins, EdD, educational researcher, writer, and consultant


“The fifth edition of this text has been updated with tons of valuable new content, including much more coverage of the science of reading, a new chapter on morphology, and reconsideration of the role of informal reading inventories in assessment. Especially worthwhile features of the book include its incorporation of the active view of reading along with the simple view in understanding reading difficulties, its discussion of older readers (grades 4–8), and its systematic steps for identifying specific difficulties in individual students. The many practical forms accompanying the text, such as an informal decoding survey, will be very helpful for teachers. The fifth edition is an excellent resource on formative assessment for planning reading instruction, particularly for general educators and reading specialists.”

—Louise Spear-Swerling, PhD, Department of Special Education (Emerita), Southern Connecticut State University