What is the primary purpose of an informal reading inventory?

The primary purpose of an informal reading inventory is to establish the student's levels of reading difficulty. This tool is typically used by educators to gather specific information about a student's reading skills and to ascertain how well they can comprehend texts at various levels of difficulty.

By administering an informal reading inventory, teachers can identify the appropriate reading level for their students, allowing them to tailor instruction effectively. This assessment often includes tasks such as reading passages aloud, answering comprehension questions, and analyzing running records. The data gathered helps educators make informed decisions regarding reading instruction, ensuring that students are provided with texts that are neither too easy nor too challenging, which enhances their reading development.

In contrast, options that evaluate spelling abilities or writing proficiency are focused on different literacy skills and do not provide insights into reading levels directly. Likewise, evaluating overall academic performance encompasses a broader range of subjects and skills beyond just reading, making it less specific than the targeted outcomes of an informal reading inventory.