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Adolescent Literacy: State Requires Students Performing Below Proficiency on State Reading Assessments to Be Targeted for Diagnostic Reading Assessments

One approach that states might take in providing interventions for struggling readers is to require the thorough, diagnostic reading assessment of the student to pinpoint the precise cause for the student's lack in reading proficiency.

Why does it matter?

  • The exact cause of reading below proficiency may stem from many addressable problems. Careful diagnosis is vitally important.
  • Intervention based on a mistaken diagnosis can be costly.

    • Highlights:

  • Thirteen states target students for diagnostic reading assessments.

    • Note:
    "In practice" means an approach is not authorized or required by state policy but appears to take place in practice.

    Methodology: Policies were collected from state statutes, recently enacted legislation (session laws), and rules and regulations. Where necessary, statewide initiatives created outside of policy were collected from state education agencies. The information will be updated as changes occur.

    Sources for all datapoints are available through this link.

    Last updated: June 2008

    Research was conducted by Melodye Bush. Please contact Bush at 303-299-3631 or mbush@ecs.org with comments or questions about this database.

      State requires students performing below proficiency on state reading assessments to be targeted for diagnostic reading assessments
      Arizona Yes
      Arkansas Yes
      Connecticut Yes. As part of the state department of education's Response to Intervention model, schools are directed to target students who perform below proficiency on state reading assessments, for diagnostic reading assessments.
      Florida Yes
      Georgia Yes
      Indiana No, but legislation passed in 2005 requires the department of education to develop a technical assistance manual for helping schools put together plans for reading instruction and to adopt reliable, valid reading instruments to diagnose reading and writing development.
      Kentucky Yes
      Minnesota Yes
      New York Yes
      Oklahoma Yes
      Rhode Island Yes
      Texas Yes
      Virginia Yes
      Washington Yes


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