What reading level for second graders is typical?

[Anonymous]

I know the benchmarks but I'm wondering what the normal spread is in an elementary school with kids largely coming from well-educated families? If you're a teacher or volunteer, what levels are the various reading groups at? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Somebody's tryin' to keep up with Joneses.

[Anonymous]

There is usually one group right on target for tEh benchmarket, one group ahead by maybe one grade level, and one below grade level group. Sometimes there will be a group a half a grade ahead as well. In second grade, it depends on how strictly the school enforces written comprehension. Schools that are not strict about kids having written comprehension match their reading comprehension in order to advance reading levels will often have kids in reading groups working two grades or more higher. DS could barely string tow sentences together in second grade, but his teacher allowed him to move to a reading group more than a grade ahead. My friend's daughter is a much better reader, but she was in a lower reading group at her school than DS because they were strict about the written responses.

[Anonymous]

Um, second grade level?

[Anonymous]

J in the first marking period, K in the second marking period, L in the third marking period, and M in the fourth marking period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is usually one group right on target for tEh benchmarket, one group ahead by maybe one grade level, and one below grade level group. Sometimes there will be a group a half a grade ahead as well. In second grade, it depends on how strictly the school enforces written comprehension. Schools that are not strict about kids having written comprehension match their reading comprehension in order to advance reading levels will often have kids in reading groups working two grades or more higher. DS could barely string tow sentences together in second grade, but his teacher allowed him to move to a reading group more than a grade ahead. My friend's daughter is a much better reader, but she was in a lower reading group at her school than DS because they were strict about the written responses.

I have no idea what is typical but that describes the reading groups in my child's class.

[Anonymous]

My kid is at H/I and is in the lowest reading group in his totally upper income class.

[Anonymous]

OP here: At what reading level do you think a tutor is needed? We keep being told that if at benchmark, you're fine but I don't fully buy that, esp. since DC's private testing showed decoding skills 45 percentile points below his other test scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Somebody's tryin' to keep up with Joneses.

What a ridiculous comment.

My kid is only in first grade, so I can't answer OP, but I certainly want to know how my kid is doing compared to her peers. Why do you think they do all this testing anyway? To make sure all the kids are learning what they need to.

I'd rather know ahead of time, so that I can help fix the gaps. Rather than too late.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Um, second grade level?

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: At what reading level do you think a tutor is needed? We keep being told that if at benchmark, you're fine but I don't fully buy that, esp. since DC's private testing showed decoding skills 45 percentile points below his other test scores.

I would hope that your child's teacher isn't misleading you by saying everything is fine when in fact you need to hire a tutor? If you have an outside reason for needing help (the outside testing?) then maybe you should discuss that extra information with the teacher and the outside specialist. Otherwise, I'd trust the teacher and just keep up the reading at home; have your child read often (both silently and aloud) and read to your child.

[Anonymous]

Some kids are slower to develop their reading skills. My middle schooler was right at the benchmark for first graders in first grade, but her teacher considered her behind because the rest of the kids in her class and in the school were beyond the benchmark. We hired a tutor, but I honestly don't think it made a difference. She was slow to learn to read. In third grade, she took off with her reading and is now ahead of the pack. She reads like a fiend. I can't pry a book out of her hands when it's time for her to go to bed at night. Hurray for that!

You may want to hire a tutor to put your mind at ease and help your child develop confidence in her abilities.

[Anonymous]

OP, while everything may be absolutely fine, you should not completely reply on the school. My child always was right at the benchmark (which was also generally the lowest or one of the lowest groups) but we had concerns. Through 2nd grade we went along with the school (boy, summer birthday) and then did outside testing which indicated significant issues. The schools have limited resources for special ed and may not be generous with them. I would definitely share your testing results with your school and see what they recommend but also why not do a bit of tutoring. Aside from time and $$, it can't hurt..but the consequences of not getting needed help can be life long.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, while everything may be absolutely fine, you should not completely reply on the school. My child always was right at the benchmark (which was also generally the lowest or one of the lowest groups) but we had concerns. Through 2nd grade we went along with the school (boy, summer birthday) and then did outside testing which indicated significant issues. The schools have limited resources for special ed and may not be generous with them. I would definitely share your testing results with your school and see what they recommend but also why not do a bit of tutoring. Aside from time and $$, it can't hurt..but the consequences of not getting needed help can be life long.

This is not OP - but I have similar concerns. What kind of outside testing did you do?

[Anonymous]

OP my DD was behind K/1st...told one of the worst in the class. I read with her for 4 hours every weekend and by the time she was in 3rd, she was 1.5 grade levels ahead. In fourth, she was 2.5 grade level ahead and in 5th 3 grade level ahead. My DD has terrible phonics/spelling still but excellent comprehension. In the younger grades, rote memorization gets you ahead. In upper grades, it is analytical ability.