Sandbox Reading Assistant What are the components of the Benchmark Assessment?

The Benchmark assessment comprises up to 12 components: the 11 components of the Dyslexia Screener and an oral reading fluency passage.

Depending on the grade level, the Benchmark assessment can be configured to include the following components:

• RAN

• Word Manipulation

• Nonsense Word Replication

• Letter Sounds

• Word Reading

• Blending

• Nonsense Word Fluency

• Spelling

• Vocabulary

• Listening Comprehension

• Oral Reading Fluency

• Reading Comprehension

Please click here for more information on the components of the Dyslexia Screener, which are all of the components except Oral Reading Fluency.

The Benchmark assessment can be giventhree times a year. An admin can configure the windows during which it is administered and what components are available to each grade level during the assessment.

Some districts may opt to include Dyslexia screening tasks during 1-3 of these assessments as well. To learn more about the Dyslexia assessment, please visitHow Do I Get Students Ready for the Dyslexia Screener.
 

Oral Reading Fluency (ORF)

Students are first presented with a passage at their grade level during the ORF. They may be re-leveled to another story if they cannot make sufficient progress on that passage. Students should be prepared to read the story for 4 minutes or until they complete it, whichever comes first.
 

Before the ORF

Before the assessment, explain to students that:

1. Reading Assistant will explain what to do before they begin reading

2. They will be using their computer/iPad and headset/microphone to read aloud a story to Reading Assistant and the story will appear on their screen.

3. While they read aloud, Reading Assistant will be listening to them read - they should read quickly and avoid taking long pauses (note: long pauses or distractions will negatively impact scoring)

4. When they are ready to move on to the next page, they will click the green arrow at the bottom of the page. They should not click this arrow until they give that page their best effort. Note: The arrow button will appear gray until some time after the student has started reading, after which it will turn green.

5. When they are finished reading, Reading Assistant will explain to them that their reading is being saved and that Reading Assistant will take care of logging them out.

After the ORF task

The ORF portion of the assessment provides key insights and informs data found in the following reports: 

 
Oral Reading Fluency Passages Throughout the Year
 

Support

• Web: Chat with a Support Agent

• Email: Submit a Case

• Phone: 800-225-5750, Option 3 (Technical Support)