ISAT Reading Performance Definitions
Grade 6
Exceeds Standards
Students who exceed standards demonstrate a strong
comprehension of text beyond their grade level. They use word,
sentence, and
paragraph clues to determine vocabulary meaning and context
clues to interpret the meaning of sophisticated figurative expressions.
Students accurately identify explicit and implicit main ideas
and specific details, making connections between several points
in a passage. They use evidence implicit in the passage and prior
knowledge to accurately draw inferences and conclusions and to
extract concepts. They draw conclusions about character traits
by examining dialogue and narration and can trace the development
of complex themes. They can explain how setting contributes to
meaning.
Students make and verify predictions about forthcoming information
or events. They distinguish among facts, inferences, and opinions
and analyze text to determine causes for actions. They analyze
author’s purpose and understand how the author’s words
create mood, imagery, and tone. They can explain verbal irony.
Students analyze structural features of text, synthesizing information
to interpret diagrams, charts, and graphs. They follow complex
multi-step directions.
Meets Standards
Students at this level demonstrate an overall comprehension
of grade level text. They use word, sentence, and paragraph clues
to determine the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary and use context
clues to interpret figurative language.
Students recognize main ideas and distinguish them from supporting
details. They draw inferences and conclusions using textual support
and prior knowledge. They can determine character traits and the
influence of setting on conflict as well as identify primary themes.
Students can make accurate predictions about forthcoming events.
They can distinguish among facts, opinions, and inferences to analyze
text. They recognize author’s purpose as well as the use
of literary elements and devices to influence the reader’s
attitudes and feelings. They identify mood and tone. They understand
verbal irony.
Students analyze features of text to interpret diagrams, charts,
and graphs. They follow multi-step directions.
Below Standards
Students at this level demonstrate an incomplete
understanding of grade-level text. They use only immediate context
to determine
the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary. They tend to make literal
interpretations of figurative language.
Students may be unable to separate main ideas from supporting
details. They struggle to draw inferences and conclusions. They
may identify plot events but are generally unable to trace the
development of themes. They can identify facts about characters
but not character traits. They have little understanding of the
effect of setting on plot.
Students may be able to make obvious predictions. They sometimes
identify obvious opinions and recognize the use of literary devices
but lack the skills to analyze their impact. They seldom recognize
mood or tone, and have little understanding of verbal irony.
Students
can find directly stated information but cannot synthesize parts
of a diagram, chart, or graph to form a conclusion. They
follow only simple instructions.
Academic Warning
Students at this level have a limited understanding
of grade-level text. Due to a weak understanding of grade-level
vocabulary,
they cannot determine the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary
or figurative language.
Students cannot identify main ideas or distinguish supporting
details. They comprehend only literal statements and have few insights
into aspects of characterization or a story’s theme. A lack
of comprehension prevents them from following a sequence of events.
Students cannot make accurate predictions. They may be able to
identify an author’s broad purpose but do not recognize the
use of opinions or reasons behind actions. They lack a familiarity
with literary devices and genres and do not recognize mood, tone,
or irony.
Students misuse or ignore aspects of practical text such as bold
print and headings to understand text and struggle to follow simple
directions.
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