What is a running record, and what is its purpose?

A running record is a formative assessment tool used to evaluate a student's reading fluency and comprehension in real time as they read a text. This method involves recording a student's reading behavior—such as the words they read correctly, the errors they make, and their self-corrections—while they are engaged with a passage. The purpose of this assessment is to gain insights into how well a student understands the text they are reading, their ability to decode words, and their overall reading fluency.

The information gathered from running records helps educators identify specific reading strengths and areas of need for individual students, which can inform instructional decisions. By understanding a student’s reading level, fluency rate, and comprehension, teachers can tailor their reading instruction to better support each student's development.

This is distinct from assessing interest in genres, understanding literary elements, or selecting reading levels, as those focus on different aspects of reading development. A running record specifically targets the mechanics and comprehension of reading during actual reading sessions, providing a clear picture of a student's reading capabilities.