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Placing Students with the Placement Packet

To determine a student's initial level and goal using the Placement Packet, follow the steps below:

  1. Estimate the reading level of the student based on test scores and classroom performance.
  2. Find the placement story in the Placement Packet that matches your estimate.
  3. Time the student for one minute while he or she reads the story. Count the student's errors. See Guidelines for Counting Errors.
  4. Calculate the number of words the student read correctly by subtracting the number of errors from the number of words read. Record the score on the Initial Placement Worksheet.
    5. Placement Table
    Placement Testing Level Scores in This Range Indicate a Potential Fit
    1.0–3.0 30–60 WCPM
    3.5–5.0 60–80 WCPM
    5.6 to 7.0 80–100 WCPM
    8.0 100–140 WCPM
    WCPM = words correct per minute
  5. Determine whether the level at which the student read is appropriate for the student. The level is a match if the number of words the student read correctly falls within the range listed in the placement table.
  6. If the level is not a match, continue to test the student with additional stories in the Placement Packet until you find the level that the student reads within the corresponding range in the table.
    If the student scores fall between the ranges (for example, a student scored 61 when tested on level 3.0 but scored 55 when tested on level 3.5, so neither level is an exact match), or if the student reads stories from two or more levels within the appropriate range, then you must decide on a level based on the student's age, background knowledge, and motivation.
  7. Select a curriculum and level that matches the student's placement testing level and educational need. Circle your selection on the Initial Placement Worksheet.
  8. Set an initial goal using the following guidelines, and record it on the worksheet:
    • Grades 1-4: Add 30 to the placement score for the level selected, and round to the nearest 5.
    • Grades 5+: Add 40 to the placement score for the level selected, and round to the nearest 5.

Placing Beginning Readers

For beginning readers, there is an exception to the placement process. On the placement test, students who fall below the placement table range on the lowest level, 1.0, will still be able to work successfully in Read Naturally if they know beginning sounds and can recognize about 50 written words.