What type of assessment is used to evaluate a student's reading level?

The selected answer is appropriate because diagnostic assessment specifically focuses on evaluating a student’s reading level and identifying their strengths and weaknesses in reading. This type of assessment is designed to gather detailed insights into a student’s reading skills and competencies, allowing educators to tailor instruction accordingly.

Typically, diagnostic assessments involve various methods, including one-on-one reading sessions, quizzes, and tests that measure different aspects of reading, such as phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. By pinpointing specific areas where a student may struggle, teachers can develop targeted interventions and support to enhance reading proficiency.

In contrast, formative assessments are ongoing evaluations that help teachers monitor student progress and inform instructional decisions during the learning process, rather than focusing solely on determining reading levels. Summative assessments, on the other hand, usually occur at the conclusion of an instructional period and are aimed at evaluating the overall learning outcomes, rather than identifying individual reading abilities. Norm-referenced assessments compare a student’s performance to that of a normative group, providing a broad view of achievement rather than a detailed analysis of a student's specific reading skills.