Curriculum

Reading Descriptors 

Descriptors--Grade 3

Proficient -- Students scoring at the "proficient" level are able to go beyond the typical grade-level expectations for reading. They not only demonstrate mastery of basic reading skills, they are able to apply what they comprehend in complex and sophisticated ways. In particular, these students comprehend the elements of fiction and nonfiction -- identify main ideas, details, and synonyms and antonyms -- compare and contrast -- make and explain predictions and inferences -- identify implied cause and effect -- and identify and clearly define problems. These students may summarize and interpret the elements of fiction/nonfiction -- make complex inferences -- and interpret figurative language.

Satisfactory -- Students scoring at the "satisfactory" level are performing in the range that is typically associated with grade-level expectations. These students use basic reading skills to comprehend grade-appropriate text. In particular, these students identify the elements of fiction and nonfiction, relevant textual details, and obvious cause and effect -- draw conclusions -- organize information in a provided form -- use text to initiate research -- and read and comprehend a variety of texts.

Unsatisfactory -- Students scoring at the "unsatisfactory" level lack the basic reading skills needed to meet typical grade-level expectations. Although some students in this group may be near the "satisfactory" level and may be progressing in their reading skills, they are still performing at a low enough level to generate concern. In particular, these students locate general information in fiction and nonfiction -- follow brief directions -- identify simple similarities, basic story elements, and obvious problems -- make basic comparisons -- begin to organize information in a provided form -- and begin to use text to initiate research.

Descriptors--Grade 7

Proficient -- Students scoring at the "proficient" level are able to go beyond the typical grade-level expectations for reading. They not only demonstrate mastery of basic reading skills, they are able to apply what they comprehend in complex and sophisticated ways. In particular, these students comprehend fiction and nonfiction -- sequence details and events -- identify implied cause-effect -- infer and predict -- explain theme and mood -- interpret figurative language -- evaluate problem-solving strategies and solutions -- and develop ideas to initiate research. These students may analyze fiction and nonfiction, literary elements, techniques, theme, mood, authors purpose or perspective, and characters motivation -- apply information to new situations -- explain reliability of sources -- and identify and evaluate alternative solutions.

Satisfactory -- Students scoring at the "satisfactory" level are performing in the range that is typically associated with grade-level expectations. These students use basic reading skills to comprehend grade-appropriate text. In particular, these students comprehend simple fiction and nonfiction; use context clues -- support conclusions with details -- compare and contrast -- understand literary elements -- recognize simple figurative language -- explain cause-effect relationships -- recognize problem-solving processes -- and evaluate solutions.

Unsatisfactory -- Students scoring at the "unsatisfactory" level lack the basic reading skills needed to meet typical grade-level expectations. Although some students in this group may be near the "satisfactory" level and may be progressing in their reading skills, they are still performing at a low enough level to generate concern. In particular, these students identify context clues, literal problems and main idea in fiction and nonfiction text -- may recognize obvious similarities, simple cause-effect relationships, literary elements and authors purpose -- and use text to initiate research.