Subject: English Language Arts
Grade Level(s): K – 12
Measures Growth: Yes
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Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI) is a research-based, computer-adaptive reading assessment program for students in grades K–12 that measures reading comprehension on the Lexile Framework® for Reading. SRI is designed to be aligned to state standards. At the kindergarten and first grade levels, SRI is recommended for use only with students who are already reading. An alternative paper version is also available.
Pros: Aligned to the standards I teach • Takes students a reasonable amount of time to complete
Cons: Does not assess higher-order thinking • Misses growth of some students, such as those far below and/or far above grade level
Pros: Easy to administer • Results returned quickly • Helps me track my students' learning gains over the course of the school year • Data is presented clearly
It can be difficult to prove to high school students that their hard work is actually yielding concrete results, especially in the area of reading. SRI helps me show students the fruits of their labor. It produces a concrete data point that can be used throughout the year to both show students objectively where they stand as readers and to serve as motivation for them to work hard and improve upon past performance. The downside is that it is inauthentic. The passages, especially as the get harder, are disconnected from much of what students read on their own. Also, students aren't required to construct any of their learning. They are merely required to read and select the correct multiple choice option.
Submitted by Jeremy in Illinois on May 7, 2013
Pros: Aligned to the standards I teach
Cons: Does not assess higher-order thinking • Misses growth of some students, such as those far below and/or far above grade level • Takes students too long to complete
Pros: Easy to administer • Results returned quickly
Cons: It is hard to use the data • Is not helpful to my professional growth as a teacher
The SRI can be an effective measure of vocabulary. However, students with ADHD or other disabilities where staying on task is an issue do not do well on the test. It is also difficult to "translate" the lexile score into a parent-friendly measure.
Submitted by Madalon in Utah on April 29, 2013
Pros: Assesses a range of students, including those from far below to far above grade level • Takes students a reasonable amount of time to complete
Cons: Does not assess higher-order thinking
Pros: Easy to administer • Results returned quickly • Helps me track my students' learning gains over the course of the school year • Data is presented clearly
Cons: Is not helpful to my professional growth as a teacher
The SRI is pretty vocabulary-based. If the kids know the words, they will excel. Not so great for all aspects of reading skill, but a good starting place. Also, very easy to re-administer throughout the year to check for growth.
Submitted by Casey in on April 15, 2013
Pros: Assesses a range of students, including those from far below to far above grade level
Pros: Easy to administer
Cons: It is hard to use the data • Is not helpful to my professional growth as a teacher
I saw a 70 IQ student score a 930 lexile the first time it was taken, and then unable to break a 400 lexile the rest of the year. Students negative feelings about school or reading mean that the score is not valid. ADHD students unmedicated do poorly and it does not reflect what they really can do.
Submitted by Ellen in Wisconsin on April 13, 2013
Pros: Assesses a range of students, including those from far below to far above grade level • Takes students a reasonable amount of time to complete
Cons: Not aligned to the standards I teach • Does not assess higher-order thinking
Pros: Easy to administer • Results returned quickly • Helps me track my students' learning gains over the course of the school year • Data is presented clearly
Very easy to administer. Students often rush through and it takes a complete 24 hour cycle before the students can be retested. If used correctly it can be a good tool for the READ 180 classroom and benchmark progress assessment for struggling reading students.
Submitted by Jennifer in Kentucky on April 11, 2013
Pros: Assesses higher-order thinking
Cons: Not aligned to the standards I teach • Takes students too long to complete
Pros: Results returned quickly
Cons: Is not helpful to my professional growth as a teacher
The SRI is a useful inventory, however it is easy to cheat. Students, who have an understanding of the way the test works, will purposefully answer questions incorrectly in order to be placed in an easier reading/English class. Then, once they take the test again, will actually try, and it APPEARS as though great gains have been made.
Submitted by Spencer in Indiana on February 27, 2012
Pros: Assesses a range of students, including those from far below to far above grade level
Cons: Not aligned to the standards I teach • Does not assess higher-order thinking • Takes students too long to complete
Pros: Easy to administer • Results returned quickly
Cons: Doesn't help me track my students' learning gains over time • It is hard to use the data • Is not helpful to my professional growth as a teacher
I am so relieved that we no longer administer the SRI. Very narrowly focused on vocabulary, without any other reading skills assessed. Not worth the time to administer! Plus the scores, translated to a lexile between 200 and 800, are hard to translate for parents.
Submitted by Caitlin in Massachusetts on January 23, 2012
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