Study Guide

Field 115: Reading Specialist 
Test Design and Framework

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The test design below describes general assessment information. The framework that follows is a detailed outline that explains the knowledge and skills that this test measures.

Test Design

Test overview, including duration of test, number of questions, and passing score.
Format Computer-based test ( C B T )
Number of Questions 80 selected-response questions and 1 constructed-response assignment
Time* 4 hours
Passing Score 240

*Does not include 15-minute  C B T  tutorial

Test Framework

Pie chart of approximate test weighting outlined in the table below.

Test weighting by number of questions per subarea.
Subareas Range of Competencies Approximate Percentage 
of Test
Selected-Response
 roman numeral 1  Instruction in Foundational Reading and Writing Skills 0001–0004 25 percent 
 roman numeral 2  Instruction in Reading Comprehension and Writing 0005–0007 22 percent 
 roman numeral 3  Assessment, Diagnosis, and Evaluation 0008–0010 21 percent 
 roman numeral 4  Professional Knowledge, Roles, and Responsibilities 0011–0013 17 percent 
this cell intentionally left blank 85 percent 
Constructed-Response
 roman numeral 5  Constructed-Response Assignment 0014 15 percent 
this cell intentionally left blank 15 percent 

subarea roman numeral 1–Instruction in Foundational Reading and Writing Skills

Competency 0001–Analyze and apply knowledge of strategies for developing students' emergent literacy skills, including phonological and phonemic awareness, concepts of print, and alphabet knowledge.

 start italics The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency. end italics 

Competency 0002–Analyze and apply knowledge of strategies for developing students' phonics skills and related spelling skills.

 start italics The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency. end italics 

Competency 0003–Analyze and apply knowledge of strategies for developing students' word analysis skills, such as syllabication and structural/morphemic analysis, and related spelling skills.

 start italics The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency. end italics 

Competency 0004–Analyze and apply knowledge of strategies for promoting students' fluency development at all stages of reading development.

 start italics The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency. end italics 

subarea roman numeral 2–Instruction in Reading Comprehension and Writing

Competency 0005–Analyze and apply knowledge of strategies for promoting students' vocabulary and academic-language development in order to support their effective listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

 start italics The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency. end italics 

Competency 0006–Analyze and apply knowledge of strategies for promoting students' reading and writing processes with a variety of texts, including multimodal content.

 start italics The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency. end italics 

Competency 0007–Analyze and apply knowledge of strategies for promoting students' critical reading and writing of literary/narrative and informational texts, including their research and disciplinary-literacy skills.

 start italics The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency. end italics 

subarea roman numeral 3–Assessment, Diagnosis, and Evaluation

Competency 0008–Analyze and apply knowledge of basic principles of literacy assessment, including procedures for interpreting assessment results and using assessment information to plan instruction that supports students' literacy development.

 start italics The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency. end italics 

Competency 0009–Analyze and apply knowledge of characteristics and uses of formal and informal literacy assessments.

 start italics The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency. end italics 

Competency 0010–Analyze and apply knowledge of characteristics and uses of screening and diagnostic procedures.

 start italics The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency. end italics 

subarea roman numeral 4–Professional Knowledge, Roles, and Responsibilities

Competency 0011–Analyze and apply knowledge of foundations of literacy development, including factors affecting literacy development.

 start italics The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency. end italics 

Competency 0012–Analyze and apply knowledge of evidence-based instructional principles and practices.

 start italics The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency. end italics 

Competency 0013–Analyze and apply knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of the reading professional.

 start italics The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency. end italics 

subarea roman numeral 5–Constructed-Response Assignment

Competency 0014–Analyze assessment data related to a student's reading and writing development and plan appropriate instructional strategies for the student.

 start italics The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency. end italics