Diagnostic Decoding Surveys

The Diagnostic Decoding Surveys comprise two informal reading assessments: the Beginning Decoding Survey and the Advanced Decoding Survey. The surveys identify weaknesses in a student’s decoding abilities. (Decoding skills are also referred to as phonics skills or word attack skills.) The surveys are designed around a generally accepted scope and sequence for teaching decoding skills.

The Beginning Decoding Survey assesses a student’s ability to read high-frequency words and one-syllable, decodable words with short vowels, digraphs, and blends. The Advanced Decoding Survey assesses more advanced phonics concepts, including more complex vowel patterns and multi-syllable words.

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Time to Administer the Surveys

Diagnostic assessment is a critical piece of designing effective instruction, but excessive assessment wastes time.

The Diagnostic Decoding Surveys are efficient and easy to administer.

Each survey can be administered in three to five minutes per student, and scoring each survey takes an experienced examiner one to four minutes.

Recommended Grade Level

The Diagnostic Decoding Surveys are for use with students in the middle of 1st grade and beyond who are suspected of having reading weaknesses. The surveys are not limited to students in younger grades because many older students have decoding weaknesses that are the basis of their reading weaknesses. The Diagnostic Decoding Surveys will identify decoding weaknesses and provide critical information for planning effective and efficient instruction for students of any age.

To request a complimentary set of the Diagnostic Decoding Surveys, click here.

To order a Decoding Survey User’s Guide kit, with seven alternative forms for progress monitoring, click here.

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