Spanish Benchmark Passages & Running Records /
Pasajes Estándar y Registros

Why Spanish Benchmark Passages

Spanish 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 one nonfiction and one fiction passage.
• The two passages at each level are on the same general topic.
• Each passage uses an appropriate percentage of words that come from books typically found at that reading level:
  • aa - E= 100%
  • F - J= 95% + 5% new words
  • K - Z2= 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 to three pages.

How to Use Spanish Benchmark Passages

1. Identify a Spanish Benchmark Passage that the student has never seen before. The fiction-nonfiction topic pair provides connecting texts. 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-Z2 and Retelling Rubrics.
4. If a student scores from 90-94 percent on the running record and answers comprehension questions at 80-94 percent, he or she is at the appropriate instructional level (for more details, see About Running Records.)
5. Once a student’s instructional level is determined, select a Spanish Leveled Book or other appropriate Spanish resources.

How to Use Electronic Spanish 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.