New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

Which is a core element in the development of effective reading levels for students?

1. Using only one type of assessment

2. Considering the complexity of the text

3. Focusing solely on written assessments

4. Ignoring student interests

The correct answer is: Considering the complexity of the text

Considering the complexity of the text is essential in the development of effective reading levels for students because it ensures that the material is appropriately challenging while still being accessible. When assessing reading levels, it's important to match texts to students' abilities, acknowledging that various factors, including vocabulary complexity, sentence length, and themes, influence a student’s comprehension and engagement. By focusing on the complexity of the text, educators can provide differentiated reading opportunities that foster growth in literacy skills. Texts that are too simple may not promote growth, while texts that are overly complex can lead to frustration and disengagement. Therefore, taking text complexity into account allows educators to select appropriate materials that align with students' current reading levels, helping them to develop their skills progressively. In contrast, relying on only one type of assessment would not provide a comprehensive view of a student's reading abilities, and focusing only on written assessments would overlook other essential literacy skills such as oral reading proficiency and comprehension. Additionally, ignoring student interests could result in a lack of motivation and engagement, as students are more likely to thrive when they are invested in what they are reading.