What is the purpose of informal reading inventories?

The purpose of informal reading inventories is to evaluate independent, instructional, or frustration levels of students. This form of assessment allows educators to gather insights into a student's reading abilities, including how well they can comprehend and engage with texts at various levels of difficulty. By determining these levels, teachers can tailor their instruction to meet the individual needs of each student. This customized approach ensures that students are neither overwhelmed by texts that are too difficult (frustration level) nor unchallenged by those that are too easy (independent level), ultimately supporting their reading development.

Informal reading inventories typically involve a variety of reading tasks, such as reading passages at different levels and answering related questions, allowing for a comprehensive view of a student's reading skills.