If you have a school-aged child, assessments are a part of their reality. Whether their teacher is collecting benchmark assessment data a few times a year, or your child is at a grade level where they will take standardized tests, it's important that you are up to speed on what is being measured and reported, and what that means for your child's academic trajectory.
How do I know if my child is on track in reading?
This is one of the most important questions for parents of young children, or for parents of children who have struggled with reading at any point in their academic careers.
By spring, your child has spent months learning in their classrooms, as well as participating in any interventions that offered additional help. You want to know if they have progressed enough to be on track. And if they are not, you want to know what to do next.
End of year assessments contain a wealth of information about your child’s progress and readiness for the next grade level. Here is what to expect, and how to make sense of the results.
When do end-of-year reading assessments happen?
In most U.S. and Canadian schools, end-of-year reading assessments take place in April or May. Schools are required to collect and report this data. Student test scores contribute to a school's overall rating, which has important consequences for the school.
At the student-level, these tests reveal:
- Is this child working where they are expected to per their grade level?
- How much progress did they make this year? (If a similar assessment was administered at the beginning of the year)
- Are they ready for the next grade level?
This is information you need to know!
You can simply ask:
- When is the spring reading assessment scheduled?
- When will results be available?
How can I tell if my child is on grade level?
Assessment results can look confusing at first. But most reports include a few key indicators.
1. Grade-level placement
You may see:
- On grade level
- Below grade level
- Above grade level
This is the simplest way to understand where your child stands.
2. Percentiles
Percentiles compare your child to other students nationwide.
For example:
- 50th percentile means average
- Higher percentiles mean stronger performance
3. Scale scores
Some assessments use numerical scores. Each assessment will look a little different, but the most important question is:
- Is my child meeting the benchmark for their grade?
What should I ask my child’s teacher?
After results are available, consider asking:
- Is my child on grade level?
- How much progress did they make this year?
- Do they require (or still require) additional reading support?
- What is the plan for next year?
If your child has been receiving extra help, you can also ask:
- Is the current support working?
- Should we continue support over the summer?
These questions help turn data into a clear plan for your as a parent.
If my child is below grade level, what should I do?
If end of year testing reveals or confirms that your child is behind, getting additional support in the summer can make a big difference.
The summer months offer valuable time to keep building skills and making progress. Additionally, without practice, students can lose reading skills they worked hard to secure throughout the school year.
With the right support, summer can help your child:
- Strengthen foundational skills
- Maintain confidence in their reading skills
- Start the next school year in a stronger position
What should I do right now?
As the school year comes to a close, a few simple steps can make a big difference.
- Ask when your child’s reading assessment will take place
- Find out when results will be shared
- Request a copy of the report
- Ask your child’s teacher to explain the results
- Look for grade-level placement and growth over time
- Decide if your child would benefit from summer support
- Make a plan for regular, high-quality summer reading support
