Connecticut Foundations of Reading Test (FORT) Practice 2025 - Free FORT Practice Questions and Study Guide

Administering running records during reading sessions is an effective method for assessing a student’s reading level because it provides real-time, observational data regarding a student’s reading fluency and comprehension. Running records involve listening to a student read aloud while marking and analyzing errors, self-corrections, and the use of context clues. This approach allows educators to understand not only what level a student is reading at but also how they approach text, their decoding strategies, and their comprehension abilities.

Additionally, running records can be conducted frequently, providing ongoing information about a student's progress, which can help inform instruction and support tailored to the student’s needs. This continuous feedback loop is critical for guiding effective teaching practices to enhance literacy skills. In contrast, relying solely on a single comprehension quiz or standardized test scores lacks the depth and contextual understanding that running records offer, while ignoring ongoing assessments altogether dismisses valuable insights into a student's development over time.