Chloé Combs

Assignment 1
August 28, 2019

Test or instrument name

i-Ready Reading diagnostic assessment

Type of test or instrument

The i-Ready Reading test is a reading diagnostic.

Purpose of test or instrument

This assessment is used to determine the strengths and weaknesses that a reader has. The program then
develops personalized online lessons. Once the assessment is completed, students can work through their
individualized lessons at their own pace.

Who developed the test or instrument – the instrument author

Curriculum Associates is the company that developed the i-Ready diagnostic assessment.

What year the test or instrument was published (also include information about revised versions)
The test was developed and published in 2011. In 2013, the diagnostic was revised to include high school
grades and skills. The revised version also features a progress monitoring function that typically takes students 15
minutes, which is significantly faster than the full diagnostic.

Who takes the test or instrument – age, grade level or other grouping category
Originally, the test was for students grades Kindergarten through eighth grade. Currently, it assesses readers’
skills all the way up to twelfth grade.

How the test or instrument is administered

The test is administered online for students to independently work through at their own pace. The test questions
adjust based on how each question is answered. If the student answers a question incorrectly, the test gets
slightly, easier. If the student answers a question correctly, the test gets slightly more difficult.

How the test or instrument is scored

The test is scored automatically by the computer. The results of the reading diagnostic are broken up into 7
categories: overall grade level, phonological awareness, phonics, high-frequency words, vocabulary, literature
comprehension, and informational comprehension.

How the results are used

The results are used by the program to design specific lessons that support students’ deficit areas in reading.
Teachers can also use the results to work with students in small group to provide direct instruction based on the
exact skills that students are missing or lacking.

Strengths and weaknesses of the test or instrument

One of the strengths of this assessment is that it can be administered to a large group of students at one
time because students are able work through the test independently and at their own pace. Another benefit is
the breakdown of the results. Teachers are able to utilize this information to build personalized and specific
lessons to address each child’s deficit areas in reading. The i-Ready program also provides research-based
lessons for teachers to accurately teach to these deficits. The way the test adjusts for each question, is also a
strength for this diagnostic. It can help prevent students from shutting down because the test is too easy or too
hard.
One of the weaknesses of the assessment is the length of time it takes to students to complete the entire
assessment. It can take students two to three total hours to complete it. This can be equivalent to two to three
class periods. This can be draining for students. Based on personal experience, I have witness students rush
through the end of the assessment, just so they can be done. This, clearly, leads to inaccurate results.

Sources of information about the test or instrument (at least 3)

 https://www.curriculumassociates.com/products/i-ready/assessment/diagnostic
 https://www.cde.state.co.us/uip/i-ready-assessment-description
 http://i-readycentral.com/all-resources/?id=1468&personaType=teacher
 https://www2.curriculumassociates.com/aboutus/Press-Release-i-Ready-Diagnostic-and-Instruction-HS-
Diagnostic-Progress-Monitoring.aspx