Benchmark Passages are used for one part in a three-part process that gives an overall assessment of reading
behavior and comprehension while rewarding students' progress as they read increasingly complex texts.
Each level has 2 fiction and 2 nonfiction passages.
Each level has at least 1 fiction-nonfiction passage pair on the same topic.
The text of the entire passage is used in the Running Record.
Most are one page long, but upper level passages can be two pages.
Give a student a Benchmark Passage he or she has never seen before to read aloud. If you prefer to use familiar text, use the fiction-nonfiction topic pair at each level. Use one passage from the pair to support a student's understanding of the topic before assessing with the other passage.
Record the student's reading behavior using the passage's Running Record form.
If a student scores 90 percent, assess the student's comprehension using a Quick Check from Level A-Z and Retelling Rubrics.
Check a student's scores against the expectations for a level to see if they should move levels. (For more details, see About Running Records).
Use Benchmark WOWzers to reward students' progress from level to level.
