I have the pleasure of working one-on-one with several beginning readers, my own and a handful of others. There’s nothing more amazing than sitting beside a new reader and listening to them as they “get” reading. It’s something that you hear — their reading goes from word to word, choppy, and staccato-sounding to more phrasal, intonated, and just plain faster. But, how fast?

Words Correct per Minute (WCPM) is one way to determine a student’s reading . Quick probes based on carefully selected passages can help teachers screen, diagnose, and monitor students’ progress.

Two researchers, Jan Hasbrouck and Gerald Tindal, have spent a great deal of time quantifying the oral reading fluency of kids in grades 1-8. In 2006 they published revised norms which provide guidance about where kids should be functioning.

In many cases, students will need some fluency instruction . And the good news is that fluency instruction will improve reading achievement. Really!

How do you assess your kids oral reading fluency? Do these norms align with the ones you use?

About the Author

Joanne Meier has more than 20 years of experience in the field of education, including serving on the faculty at the University of Virginia for six years where she trained reading specialists and future classroom teachers. Dr. Meier was Reading Rockets’ research-to-practice consultant from 2002 to 2014, where she wrote the Page by Page blog — sharing best practices in supporting young readers at home and in the classroom.

Publication Date
October 23, 2007

Related Topics

Assessment and Evaluation, Comprehension, Developmental Milestones, Fluency, Intervention and Prevention
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