Begin with the last word
Confirm the final word reached before reviewing individual marks. Only words through that position belong in attempted words for the sample.
Use a small set of categories
- Substitution
- A different spoken word replaced the printed word.
- Omission
- A printed word was not read.
- Skipped word or line
- The reader moved past printed text.
- Parent-supplied word
- The adult provided the word during the sample.
- Self-correction
- The reader corrected the word within the stated convention.
Keep notes separate from subtraction
Insertions and repetitions can be useful observations without reducing the correct-word count in the planned first version. The scoring method should state this clearly so two adults can understand the same report.
Review suggestions, do not accept them blindly
If optional speech support appears in a future version, treat every highlighted word as a suggestion. Background noise, accents, child speech, and device position can change recognition. The adult remains the source of truth.
Save enough context
Keep the passage ID and band, elapsed time, pause or interruption flag, last word, reviewed miscues, and scoring method version with each session. That makes a result explainable later.