What is one method to assess reading comprehension in students?

Asking students to summarize the text is an effective method for assessing reading comprehension because it requires them to process the material and express it in their own words. This approach demonstrates not only whether the students have understood the main ideas and key details but also how well they can analyze and synthesize the information. Summarization involves distilling complex ideas into concise statements, which reflects a student's ability to comprehend and retain information.

In contrast, tracking only the number of words read, focusing solely on vocabulary quizzes, or measuring handwriting quality do not adequately capture a student's understanding of the content. These methods might provide information about fluency or word knowledge but do not measure the depth of comprehension or the ability to engage with the text on a meaningful level. Thus, asking for a summary invites deeper cognitive engagement with the reading material, making it a robust tool for assessing comprehension.