Does assessment of adult learners strengths and needs in reading instruction lead to increased reading achievement?
No trends are drawn from the research because there is very little experimental or non-experimental research that evaluates the effects of assessment on reading achievement, even at the K-12 level (Dochy, 2000 Segars & Buehl, 1999). It is widely assumed, however, that assessment of learner strengths and needs is an important aspect of instruction. In order to effectively and efficiently teach reading, a teacher must accurately assess an adult learner’s ability in one or more areas of reading instruction (alphabetics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension). Reading assessment may be used to diagnose specific strengths and needs in reading for individual adults or for adults being taught in groups. It is also used to evaluate and modify instruction, and to evaluate overall ABE program effects on reading achievement.
