FTCE Reading K-12 Practice Exam

How can a teacher determine a child's reading level?

1. Using graded word recognition lists

2. Administering a writing assessment

3. Evaluating listening comprehension skills

4. Observing classroom participation

The correct answer is: Using graded word recognition lists

Using graded word recognition lists is a valid method for determining a child's reading level because these lists are specifically designed to assess a student's ability to recognize and read words at various levels of difficulty. By analyzing how many words a child can correctly identify from these lists, a teacher can gauge their reading proficiency and match them with appropriate texts that will both challenge them and support their development. This method provides a clear, quantitative measure of reading ability, which is essential for tailoring instruction to meet the individual needs of each student. In contrast, the other methods may not provide direct insights into reading level. Writing assessments focus on composition skills rather than reading proficiency, evaluating listening comprehension skills assesses auditory understanding rather than reading ability, and observing classroom participation, while informative about engagement and social skills, does not directly measure reading skills.