Which assessment tool is often utilized to measure student reading comprehension?

The assessment tool identified as the most effective for measuring student reading comprehension is informal reading inventories. These inventories are designed to assess a student's reading abilities in a variety of ways, focusing specifically on comprehension. Unlike standardized testing, which provides a broader overview of performance in comparison to peers and often is not tailored to individual reading levels, informal reading inventories allow for a more nuanced understanding of a student's specific reading strengths and weaknesses.

Informal reading inventories typically include a collection of reading passages and comprehension questions that are matched to different levels of difficulty. This allows educators to pinpoint where a student may be struggling, whether with specific vocabulary, understanding main ideas, or making inferences. This personalized approach not only informs instructional planning but also helps in monitoring student progress over time.

Moreover, while general classroom observation can yield valuable information about a student's engagement and participation, it is less structured for the specific purpose of measuring reading comprehension. Similarly, teacher-made tests might focus more on specific curriculum content or skills rather than an overall assessment of reading ability. In contrast, informal reading inventories are specifically designed to explore and measure comprehension skills directly.