Benchmark Passages & Running Records

Why Use Benchmark Passages

Benchmark Passages are one step in a three-step process that gives an overall assessment of reading behavior and comprehension while rewarding student progress from level to level.

• Each level has 2 nonfiction and 2 fiction passages.
• Each level has at least 1 fiction-nonfiction passage pair on the same topic.
• Each passage uses an appropriate percentage of words that come from leveled books at that reading level:
  • aa-E = 100%
  • F-J = 95% + 5% new words
  • K-Z = 90% + 10% new words
• The Running Record contains the entire text of the passage.
• Most passages are one page long, but upper-level passages can be two pages.

How to Use Paper Benchmark Passages

1. Identify a Benchmark Passage that the student has never seen before. Use the fiction-nonfiction topic pair at each level for more familiar text. Support a student's comprehension of the topic with one passage before evaluating with the other passage.
2. Use the Running Record to record the student's reading behavior.
3. If a student scores 90 percent or higher, assess comprehension using a Quick Check from Levels A-Z and Retelling Rubrics.
4. If a student scores from 90%-94% percent on the running record and answers comprehension questions at 80%-100%, he or she is at the appropriate instructional level. (For more details, see About Running Records.)
5. Use Benchmark WOWzers to reward students' progress from level to level.

How to Use Electronic Benchmark Passages

1. Assign an Assessment of a Benchmark Passage to a student to read aloud and record. (The software will automatically present a retelling and comprehension quiz when the student is finished reading.)
2. Check your Kids A-Z In Basket for the student's recording and score the student's reading behavior using the online running record form.
3. 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.)
4. Turn on student Incentives to reward students' progress from level to level.