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Every year around this time, we like to remind teachers of the importance of checking their students’ initial Read Naturally placement. The student's initial placement is a best guess as to where the student will be appropriately challenged and make optimal progress in Read Naturally programs. After the student completes three to six stories, you have more specific data about how they are performing in both fluency and comprehension. This is the point at which we recommend checking initial placement to see whether adjustments to the initial level and goal are needed. 

How do you go about checking initial placement? We have several free resources to guide you.

First, note that students in the sequenced series of Read Naturally Live will receive Data Mentor suggestions for level, goal, and comprehension adjustments. Data Mentor analyzes the student's data and prompts teachers with timely advice on changes that will help accelerate progress. Learn more about Data Mentor here! This tool is essentially doing the ongoing work of checking the student's placement, but as a teacher with personal knowledge of the student, you can decide whether or not to accept its recommendations.

Note that Data Mentor is currently only available for the sequenced series. Teachers using the phonics series will still need to check initial placement manually. This webinar recording walks you through the steps of checking initial placement manually. 

Teachers using Encore II may use our helpful, easy-to-use Checking Initial Placement calculator. Simply enter the data from your student's last three stories, and the calculator will recommend whether to keep current levels/goals or make adjustments. If adjustments are indicated, the calculator will make recommendations for a new level and/or goal.

• Checking Initial Placement Calculator for Encore II

Encore II users may also print out this guide and use it in conjunction with students’ progress graphs.

If you have questions about the Checking Initial Placement process or anything else, we're here to help! Don't hesitate to get in touch and let us know what you need. We love to support you in helping your students reach their goals.