Practical issues in field based testing of oral reading fluency at upper elementary grades

In this series of studies, we explore the ideal frequency, duration, and relative effectiveness of measuring oral reading fluency. In study one, a sample of 389 fifth graders read out loud for 1 min and then took a traditional state-level standardized reading test. Results suggest administering three passages and using the median yields the highest predictive validity. Study two compared oral reading fluency rates at 30 and 60 s for 815 elementary and middle school students on the same passage. Results indicate that the 30 s measures yield a comparable score. Study three found relatively similar predictive validity of oral reading fluency for 67 fourth- and 125 sixth-grade students on Aimsweb, EasyCBM, and DIBELS. Implications for practice are discussed.

► We explore ideal frequency, duration, and relative effectiveness of oral reading fluency.
► Administering three passages and using the median yields the highest predictive validity, but two is nearly as accurate.
► Abbreviating the measure to 30 s yields information comparable to the 60 s measure.
► Aimsweb, EasyCBM, and DIBELS passages have relatively similar predictive validity.