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Guidelines for Administering Benchmark Quick Checks
  • Before administering the Benchmark Quick Check Quiz, administer the Running Record portion of the Reading A-Z passage that you feel is nearest to the student's instructional reading level.  
  • If the student's accuracy rate on the Running Record is 90 percent or above, have the student read the rest of the passage silently. When the student is finished reading, administer the corresponding Benchmark Quick Check Quiz.
  • If the student's accuracy rate is below 90 percent accuracy on the Running Record, continue to work with the child at the current level before returning to the Benchmark Quick Check Quiz.
  • Mark a correct answer on the Benchmark Quick Check Quiz with a plus. If the student answers incorrectly, write what the student said and mark a minus. You can give half credit if the student begins to answer the question but does not support it with details from the text or from his or her own thinking.
  • Comprehension involves the ability to remember what one reads, to think about it, and to react. There are three types of comprehension questions: text-based, inferential, and critical response. Each question is labeled. After the student has answered all of the questions, mark the Comprehension Analysis chart at the top right of the page with the number of correct (plus) answers. Example: If the student correctly answers three out of the four text-based questions, mark a 3 on that line. Calculate the appropriate Comprehension Level by dividing the total points scored in all categories by the total points available in all categories. Circle the appropriate Comprehension Level.
  • The answers given on the comprehension question sheets are possible correct answers. If the student responds in a way that answers the question, but is not listed as a possible answer, use your professional judgment and mark it appropriately. If the question has asked for one example from the text and there is more than one possible answer, any one of those answers is sufficient. The student does not need to list them all. However, if the question specifically asks for two examples, then two must be stated. Keep in mind you can give half credit. If students can state opinions for critical responses but are unable to discuss or support them, then the response is considered inadequate and would only receive half credit.