Plan powerful data-driven instruction!

Developed by leading literacy experts Jan Richardson, Ph.D., and Maria Walther, Ed.D., the Next Step Guided Reading Assessment uses Richardson’s proven Assess-Decide-Guide teaching system to determine students’ reading levels and target instructional next steps.

From the key text features in the assessment texts to the evidence-based comprehension questions, the Next Step Guided Reading Assessment provides teachers with a way to assess students and teach them the skills to meet higher standards.

Next Step Guided Reading Assessment

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All Programs

Grades K-2

Each K-2 kit includes:

Original literary and informational assessment texts
(includes a Pre-A assessment)
38 books, Levels A–N
Teacher's Guide
Assessment Forms Book
Assessment Conference Book
One year of complimentary access to the digital management system

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Next Step Guided Reading Assessment Grades 3-6

Grades 3-6

Each 3-6 kit includes:

32 high-interest literary and informational Student Assessment Text Cards (Levels K–Z)
Teacher's Guide
Assessment Forms Book
Assessment Conference Book
One year of complimentary access to the digital management system

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Data Management

GRADE LABEL

The digital management system provides teachers with the tools to use classroom data to inform lesson planning, and administrators with reports to monitor progress across all schools.

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Data Management

Administrator View

Understand key benchmarks.  

View trends and track progress of classes, grades, and schools to provide student-focused support for your district.

Data Management

School View

Access data quickly.

Principals can view summary progress reports and literacy coaches can use reports to provide teachers with reader-focused supports.

Data Management

Classroom View

Identify patterns for support.

Classroom data and report trends track students' progress and instruction based on students’ skills  and comprehension.

Data Management

Individual Student Reports

Track progress. 

Use these dynamic summaries of student data in conferences with caregivers and meetings with instructional team members.

Data Management

Teacher Tools

Plan differentiated instruction.

Group students by reading stage, level, and developmental need to target your instructional focus and build their comprehension.

Data Management

Teacher Resources

Utilize professional development tools.

Access all K–6 resources, including assessment forms, lesson plans, program materials, and classroom videos.

Assess, Decide, Guide

Assess

Pinpoint your teaching focus, select texts, and plan and teach powerful lessons in four easy steps.

Decide

Use data to determine students’ reading levels, form instructional groups, and create effective action plans for student learning goals.

Guide

Access professional development tools, resources, and videos online to plan personalized instruction with lessons to match reading stages.

Get to know your readers in
four easy steps

1 . Reading Interest Survey (whole class)
Uncover students’ reading interests to match readers to just-right texts.

2. Word Knowledge Inventory (whole class)
Determine skills in phonological awareness and phonics to inform your word study instruction.

3. Comprehension Assessment (whole class)
Evaluate students' higher-level thinking skills and identify students who need immediate support. (For Grades K–2, this is administered as a read-aloud assessment.)

4. Reading Assessment Conference (one on one)
Obtain precise data on phonics, word recognition, fluency, and comprehension to determine instructional levels and identify skills and strategies to target during guided reading lessons.

Meet the Authors

Jan Richardson, Ph.D., is an educational consultant who has trained thousands of teachers and works with schools and districts to ensure that every student succeeds in reading. Her work is informed by her experience as a reading specialist, a Reading Recovery teacher leader, a staff developer, and a teacher of every grade from kindergarten through high school.

Maria Walther, Ed.D., is an author and expert in literacy with more than three decades of experience as a first-grade teacher in the Chicago area. She was honored as Illinois Reading Educator of the Year and earned the ICARE for Reading Award for fostering a love of reading in children.

Testimonials

Targets Instruction Efficiently

An all-in-one product that simplifies and clarifies the complex process of assessing and teaching reading. Gives teachers a full picture of a reader so they can target instruction more efficiently and effectively.

Rosanne L. Kurstedt, Ph.D.
Educational Consultant and Staff Developer
Westfield, NJ

Simple Yet Effective

The Assess-Decide-Guide framework is simple yet effective, and will undoubtedly increase the effectiveness of core instruction.

Terry J. Dade
Assistant Superintendent
Fairfax County Public Schools, VA

Clear and Pragmatic

The results have been amazing. Guided reading instruction is no longer a puzzle. Teachers are thrilled with the clarity and pragmatic shifts in their practice.

Ellen Lewis
Reading Specialist
Fairfax County Public Schools, VA

Valuable Teaching Points

Valuable teaching points can be derived from the simple checklists for decoding and retelling, as well as from the quality comprehension questions. The assessment texts are appropriately leveled and of high interest to kids, making this assessment a breeze to administer!

Melanie E. Smith
Reading Specialist, NBCT
South Salem Elementary School, Salem, VA

Plan powerful data-driven instruction!

Next Step Guided Reading Assessment

Next Step Guided Reading Assessment