Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Special Education Practice Exam

What is the purpose of a Formal Diagnostic Reading Achievement Test?

1. To determine a student's overall intelligence

2. To assess strengths and needs in reading

3. To evaluate social behavior and interactions

4. To provide feedback on general classroom participation

The correct answer is: To assess strengths and needs in reading

A Formal Diagnostic Reading Achievement Test is specifically designed to assess a student's strengths and needs in the area of reading. This type of assessment focuses on identifying specific reading skills and areas for improvement, which can include phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary. By pinpointing these strengths and weaknesses, educators can create targeted interventions and instructional strategies tailored to the student's individual learning profile. The purpose of this type of diagnostic assessment is to gather detailed information that helps teachers understand how a student processes reading tasks, thereby facilitating more effective teaching approaches and support systems. This is crucial in special education, where students may have diverse needs and varying levels of reading ability. Other options pertain to areas outside the scope of a reading achievement test. For instance, determining overall intelligence relates to cognitive assessments rather than specific reading skills. Evaluating social behavior and interactions pertains to social-emotional assessments, while providing feedback on classroom participation does not specifically quantify reading ability but rather general engagement in the learning environment.