What is "informal reading assessment," and its purpose?

Informal reading assessment encompasses non-standardized methods designed to gauge a student's reading abilities and progress in a more flexible and personalized manner. These assessments can include observations, running records, informal reading inventories, and discussions about texts, which allow educators to understand a student's strengths and weaknesses in various areas of reading, such as fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary.

The primary purpose of informal reading assessments is to provide educators with valuable insights into a student's reading development, guiding instructional decisions and tailoring teaching strategies to better meet individual needs. Unlike standardized tests that often yield a single score and compare results to a broad population, informal assessments focus on the unique attributes of a student's reading habits and skills, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of their reading journey. This approach fosters a more responsive educational environment that can lead to more effective instructional interventions.