What should a reading specialist assess after a 4th grade student performs well on a phonics inventory?

Assessing a student's ability to read multisyllabic words after they perform well on a phonics inventory is crucial for their continued development in reading. Phonics inventories typically help gauge a student's understanding and application of phonetic principles, particularly in terms of decoding simpler, single-syllable words. However, excelling in this area indicates a foundational skill that can be built upon.

Once a student demonstrates proficiency with single-syllable words, focusing on multisyllabic words encourages them to apply their phonics knowledge to more complex structures. This transition is essential as proficiency in decoding multisyllabic words is a critical skill necessary for reading fluency and comprehension at higher levels. It reflects an advanced understanding of phonics rules, syllable division, and the ability to blend sounds in longer words, which further enhances their reading capabilities.

Other aspects, such as oral reading fluency of fiction texts or comprehension of poetry, are also important; however, they do not directly assess the student's phonics skills and progression from what the phonics inventory specifically addresses. Prioritizing the assessment of multisyllabic word reading ensures that the student is being challenged appropriately and is making progress in their phonics development.