Inside the ELA Classroom

Running records are formative assessments that allow you to see what strategic actions students use when reading. They allow you to see error patterns which will inform teaching decisions. Running records allow teachers to look closely at each student’s reading and provide instruction that is responsive and timely to the student's needs. To take a running record you sit near the student to listen to him/her read a text, and record their reading using running record coding on the running record form. At the district, we are using passages and materials in Raz-Plus to support this initiative.

• To create a written representation of each student's attempt to read a book alone.
  
• To provide a sample of text reading to better understand the student's current level of literacy development and the instruction needed to move the student forward.
  
• To help the fine -tune flexible literacy groups by putting students with others who have similar strengths and needs for small-group or guided-reading instruction.
  
• To suggest what level of books the teacher should use for the student's reading instruction.
  
• To document students' progress over a given period of time.
  

This proposed assessment schedule was prepared by Raz-Plus. There are situations that dictate a modified schedule - remember the Running Record is designed to provide data to inform instruction.

Before starting, spend some time with students to ensure they understand how to utilize the record feature in Raz-Plus.

1. Recording running records empowers students. Getting to decide when they hit the record button provides students with a sense of control. As the teacher you decide how they will record (everyone at once, in small groups, or with a partner). Give students general guidelines and demonstrate the new method. When the process begins, the students press Record and start reading. They will have a recording of their reading, with the elapsed time noted as well.

2. Teachers have more flexibility and fewer distractions. There will be more freedom within the schedule to assess the recorded passage. There are not distractions, and you can listen as many times as you need. This helps ensure the results are recorded more precisely and accurately.

3. Raz-Plus running record data easily translates into literacy portfolios. Not only does A-Z record the reading record, but the system saves the recording. Additional record recordings can be added under the students' account creating a portfolio of data.

Running Records allow teachers to make data-based decisions to guide whole-class instruction and to ensure students are reading appropriately challenging texts during independent reading.

The miscue analysis allows supports targeted and differentiated instruction such as:

• Identify specific difficulties that a student might be having. (Assessment for Learning)
  
• Provide data to assist with the development of flexible reading groups. (Differentiated instruction)
  
• Monitor the progress of a student.
  
• Allow various students to move at different speeds. (Differentiated growth)
  
• Provides assessment and evaluation data for reporting purposes.