Northwest Evaluation Association Learning Continuum Release 1.0

Evaluative Reading Comprehension - Students understand fact, opinion, bias, assumptions, and elements of persuasion, and can evaluate the quality and validity of written material. Students can compare works, evaluate conclusions, and apply what is learned to real life experiences.

Skills and Concepts

RIT scores below 150

Classify, Thinking Skills
· Identify common words, generally nouns
· Identify word that belongs in broad category based on type
· Identify word not like the others, based on type
New Vocabulary: none

RIT Scores between 151 and 160

Classify, Thinking Skills
· Identify general category name for specific word based on type
· Identify items belonging to a category based on use
· Identify items that do not belong to a category based on use
New Vocabulary: thing

RIT Scores between 161 and 170

Classify, Thinking Skills
· Format: At beginning of range, distracters very different from correct answer choices. As RIT increases, distracters become more similar, requiring the use of more specific vocabulary
· Identify which item is not like the others based on type or use
· Identify which item is not a member of a broad category or group
· Complete a simple analogy, matching a common tool to the user
· Identify which item is a member of a category based on type or use
· Identify category name for a specific item
Fact and Opinion
· Read information presented in one or two very simple statements
· Distinguish fact from that which is inferred
New Vocabulary: sentence, page, missing word, belongs

RIT Scores between 171 and 180

Bias, Assumptions, Stereotype
· Format: Read simple text, generally less than 50 words, basic vocabulary, where the speaker/writer's opinions are stated directly and obviously
· Determine speaker/writer's opinion or way of thinking about a topic
· Understand meaning of the word "bias"
Classify, Thinking Skills
· Identify which are not members of a group based on defined characteristics
· Identify the group name or category in which it belongs when given a noun
· Identify which noun is not like the others
· Identify which word belongs in the same category when given a list of descriptive words
· Identify another member of the group when given a group name
· Identify which sentence is not on a specific topic
· Generalize how items or ideas are alike
· Find relationships between words based on analogous relationships (things to eat - hunger)
Fact and Opinion
· Format: Read information presented in short simple paragraph
New Vocabulary: story, paragraph, bias, passage, writer

RIT Scores between 181 and 190

Persuasive Elements
· Format: Read simple, short text and basic vocabulary
· Determine what the writer wants the reader to notice, care about, or feel
· Determine which words persuade the reader or catch the reader's attention
· Determine the purpose of an advertisement
· Determine to which senses certain words appeal
Bias, Assumptions, Stereotype
· Read simple text, generally less than 50 words, basic vocabulary where the speaker/writer's opinions stated directly and obviously
Classify, Thinking Skills
· Apply logic to analyze simple relationships
· Identify which sentence does not relate to a story topic
· Identify analogous relationships between words
· Identify lists of words that all belong to the group when given a category name
· Distinguish between factual and inferential observations when given a simple situation
· Determine probable common use of a list of items
· Tell how items on a list are all alike
· Identify items that belong in a named group
· Classify types of writing based on purpose
· Identify which items do not belong to a group, based on secondary attributes
· Identify how phrases are alike based on what they tell
· Identify which word is not a member of a group or category based on specific definitions
Evaluate Validity
· Determine why a simple story is fiction
· Determine which statement is untrue based on information given in a short, simple passage
· Determine which person would be more likely to have more relevant information when given an event described by different people
Fact and Opinion
· Format: Read information presented in short simple paragraph where the paragraphs get longer with more detail and vocabulary as RIT increases
· Given a short paragraph, distinguish a factual statement about the information from statements of opinion
· Distinguish statements of fact from statements of opinion
New Vocabulary: classified as, describe, idea, list, ad, make-believe, advertisement, definition, label, facts

RIT Scores between 191 and 200

Persuasive Elements
· Format: Read simple, short text and basic vocabulary
· Determine the purpose of an advertisement or other persuasive writing
· Determine what the writer wants the reader to notice or care about
· Recognize techniques used in ads or other persuasive writing to persuade readers
· Distinguish facts from persuasive elements in an advertisement
Bias, Assumptions, Stereotype
· Format: Read longer passages, up to 100 words, where situations are still fairly straightforward, with basic vocabulary
· Infer errors in a character's thinking that lead to stereotyping when given a basic scenario
· Infer who is speaking/writing based on his/her opinions or way of thinking
Classify, Thinking Skills
· Identify words belonging to the same category based on attributes of the words themselves
· Identify which item belongs to a group based on secondary attributes
· Identify which sentence does not relate to a more specific topic when given sentences all relating to a general topic
· Identify which word is not a member of a group or category based on information in a passage or specific definitions
· Identify which items belong in a common group when given words that may have multiple meanings
· Determine simple logical relationships (if - then)
· Determine where information will most likely be found based on attributes
· Determine category names for words in up to three different categories
· Determine how sentences are all alike (main topic)
· Determine which would not be attributes of another item when given words, some with multiple meanings
· Determine analogous relationships
Evaluate Validity
· Determine the most qualified source of information
· Determine which facts best support a conclusion or an opinion
· Determine the most valid conclusion when given a simple event or situation
· Distinguish what is true or factual from what might be inferred when given a simple passage
· Determine the validity of opinions based on facts given in a short simple passage
Fact and Opinion
· Format: As RIT increases, difficulty of vocabulary increases, longer sentences or passages are used, and content becomes less familiar and more difficult
· Distinguish what is fact from that which is inferred when given a short passage
· Know the meaning of the words "fact" and "opinion"
· Determine if statements are true, false, fact, or opinion
· Identify factual statements made based on information found in a longer passage
· Identify word clues that signal an opinion
New Vocabulary: opinion, conclusion, valid, appeal, descriptions, detail, accuracy, attitude, phrase

RIT Scores between 201 and 210

Inference
· Infer/evaluate content based on small sample of writing
· Infer/evaluate what is important to a character
· Infer/evaluate character's feelings or interests
Persuasive Elements
· Format: Read generally short text, some longer with slightly more difficult vocabulary
· Recognize persuasive techniques or methods
· Determine to whom an ad will appeal
· Determine how an ad gets your attention
· Determine the effectiveness of persuasive arguments
· Determine the action the ad persuades the reader to take
Bias, Assumptions, Stereotype
· Format: Read longer passages, generally less than 150 words but some longer where the difficulty of vocabulary increases as RIT increases
· Infer errors in reasoning that lead to stereotypical thinking
· Infer beliefs, opinions, or way of thinking of speaker, writer, or character
· Understand and apply meaning of "bias"
· Recognize bias or assumptions as opinions
At upper range of RIT -
· Generalize type of people who would agree or disagree with specific opinions
· Understand the meaning of "assumption" or "underlying assumption"
· Understand why people have different opinions or ways of thinking
Classify, Thinking Skills
· Identify which word belongs in a group based on implications of words, definitions provided, or interpreting multiple meanings or words
· Identify which sentence does not relate to a more specific topic when given sentences all relating to a general topic
· Put ideas in appropriate groups when given two category names
· Match information in a passage with informal outline of information
· Identify items not like others based on secondary attributes provided in written definitions
· Combine information written in a passage with information from experience to determine how one thing is like or unlike another thing
· Identify topics that could be added to an existing outline
· Identify which word is not like the others based on secondary attributes
· Find common attributes of a defined list of items
Evaluate Validity
· Determine which facts do or do not support a conclusion
· Given a simple passage, distinguish what is true or factual
· Determine the most qualified source of information
· Evaluate and prioritize reasons
· At upper range of RITs, determine which fact supports more than one conclusion
· Determine which statement best supports a specific conclusion
· Determine statements that cannot be concluded from information in a passage
· Use logical reasoning to determine the validity of a statement
Fact and Opinion
· Identify which specific words are opinions
· In a longer passage, distinguish which statements are facts from those that are opinions
· Identify word clues that signal fact, not opinion
· Determine that which is fact from that which is inferred
· Analyze a passage to determine proportion of fact or opinion
New Vocabulary: comments, persuasion, technique, editorial

RIT Scores between 211 and 220

Inference
· Evaluate relative importance of information
Persuasive Elements
· Read some longer ads longer with more difficult vocabulary
· Determine how assertions of persuasive writing are supported
· Determine to whom and to what feelings ads appeal
· Determine what the writer wants the reader to believe about their product or service
· Determine information not given in an ad
Bias, Assumptions, Stereotype
· Read passages that vary in length, while difficulty of vocabulary tends to increase
· As RIT levels increase, differences between distracters and correct answer choice become less obvious, require more thought
· Understand meaning of the word "discrimination"
· Infer beliefs, opinions, ways of thinking, or assumptions of writer or characters
· Generalize type of people who would agree or disagree with specific opinions
· Compare and contrast opinions or assumptions of characters
· Infer errors in reasoning that lead to stereotypical thinking
· Infer assumptions reader can make from a passage
· Generalize opinions or assumptions of writer
· Discriminate between fact and bias
Classify, Thinking Skills
· Demonstrate using alphabetical order to the fourth letter
· Find words that are like or different from the others based on secondary attributes when given definitions of similar or related words
· Identify words that belong to the same group based on implications, connotations, multiple meanings, or secondary attributes when given more difficult vocabulary words
· Identify analogous relationships
· Find commonalities in a set of distinct descriptions
· Determine which would be logical explanations for events
Evaluate Validity
· Format: Read passages that are generally longer, with much detail, extensive vocabulary, and less familiar content
· Determine which statement or detail best supports a specific conclusion
· Determine most qualified source of information
· Determine most valid conclusion based on information in a passage
· Distinguish facts that can be concluded from that which is opinion or inferred when given a longer, more detailed passage
· Determine additional information needed to evaluate information in a passage
· Use logical reasoning to determine the validity of a conclusion
· Note the clue word "probably" meaning not conclusively
· Determine which statement or detail does not support a conclusion
· Identify faulty reasoning leading to a conclusion
· Evaluate the quality of information used to support a conclusion
Fact and Opinion
· Analyze passage for opinion, inference, value judgment, or fact
· Distinguish unsupported opinion from fact
· Determine content of passage-proportion of fact to opinion
· Distinguish that which is fact from that which is inferred
· Identify a sentence as being an editorial comment or part of a factual news story
New Vocabulary: evaluate, assumption, logical argument, factual, unbiased, propaganda

RIT Scores between 221 and 230

Persuasive Elements
· Determine purpose of persuasive ad or argument
· Determine persuasive techniques or methods
· Determine tone or effect of persuasive writing
· Analyze persuasive statements
· Determine to whom or what feelings persuasive writing will appeal
Bias, Assumptions, Stereotype
· Read passages where topics are less familiar, with rich, varied vocabulary
· Higher level thinking required to understand topics and to differentiate between answer choices
· Infer assumptions of writer or character
· Generalize opinions or assumptions of writer
· Generalize people likely to agree or disagree with opinion or assumption
· Recognize difference between discriminatory and non-discriminatory statements
· Recognize statements or thinking not assumed by the writer
Classify, Thinking Skills
· Identify words that belong to the same group based on implications, connotations, multiple meanings, or secondary attributes given more difficult vocabulary words
· Identify the sentence that does not related to the specific topic in a long, complex passage
· Find commonalities in a set of distinct descriptions
Evaluate Validity
· Format: Read longer passages with more detail, more extensive vocabulary, and less familiar content
· Evaluate whether or not an argument is consistent
· Determine which conclusion is supported by facts in a passage
· Determine which fact or detail supports a conclusion
· Identify faulty reasoning leading to a conclusion
· Identify a conclusion not supported by facts or details in a passage
· Evaluate reasoning leading to a conclusion
· Evaluate the quality of information sources
Fact and Opinion
· Use word clues to distinguish opinions from fact
New Vocabulary: observation, contradict

RIT Scores between 231 and 240

Persuasive Elements
· Imply purpose of persuasive writing
Bias, Assumptions, Stereotype (Only three items in this range)
· Format: Read passages with complex topics, some quite difficult vocabulary, distracters more complex, require more thought to determine correct answer choice
· Understand the meaning of the word "stereotype"
· Infer and generalize assumptions of writer
Evaluate Validity
· Determine the most qualified source of information
· Analyze the reasoning used to support a conclusion or opinion
· Determine which conclusion is supported by facts or details in a passage
· Use logical reasoning to arrive at a conclusion
New Vocabulary: analyze, stereotype