Task students with selecting a text and reading silently. Observe and note whether students are able to read independently for a sustained period of time. Consider having students use a stopwatch or timer, enter times in their reading logs, and graph reading times across multiple reading sessions.

Some readers may need help selecting text. They may also need to be given specific tasks such as reading for pre-determined amount of time and then jotting down a note about what they read.
 

Further Explanation

This assessment requires students to choose an appropriate text they can read without assistance. As students learn more about various types of texts and their features, they should use this knowledge while selecting texts for specific purposes. Students improve their ability to focus on and read text with experience. Student readers also develop the skills and strategies necessary to navigate challenging ideas or vocabulary they encounter in a text in order to successfully progress through the text on their own for a sustained period of time. Although reading skills develop as students receive more instruction and have more experiences with text, students should be able to self-select a text and read independently for a sustained period of time based on interest alone starting at the beginning of the school year.