Benchmark Assessments

First graders should score about 20 words per minute for the winter benchmark assessment.

They need to score 40 words per minute for the spring assessment.

The assessment focuses on the skill of reading fluency (the speed and smoothness with which a child reads). Fluency develops as children learn more sight words and as they learn to use word attack skills.

• To increase fluency children need to practice reading at an easy level before advancing to a more difficult level.
• Reading needs to become automatic. This will happen by reading easy stories several times until their reading sounds like their talking. If your child struggles, choose an easier book.
• Children need to hear fluent reading. Reading to your child every day will model fluent reading.
• Read a sentence then have your child read it.
• Have your child listen to taped stories and then read along with the tape.
• Reading the sentences from the Companion Reading program will provide appropriate level sentences for practice.

Download a sample Benchmark Reading Assessment.

The student is given 1 minute to read as much as possible. Mistakes are deducted from the total number of words read in that time limit.