Fountas & Pinnell - Benchmark Assessment System

The Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System

Identify the instructional and independent reading levels of all students to plan meaningful teaching

The Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System (BAS) provides precise tools and texts to observe and quantify specific reading behaviours, helping teachers to work out students’ independent and instructional reading levels in order to interpret and use that data to plan meaningful instruction.

What is it?

Fountas & Pinnell BAS is a research-based best-selling, one-on-one comprehensive assessment to determine students' independent and instructional reading levels on the F&P Text Level Gradient^TM.

The 3rd Edition has been adapted for the Australian market and includes updated components, levelled books and online resources.

How does it work?

Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment Systems:

Are designed to accurately and reliably identify each child’s instructional and independent reading levels according to the F&P Text Level Gradient^TM
Recommend a placement level for instruction
Document students’ progress through one-on-one formative and summative assessments
Include precise tools and texts to observe and quantify specific reading behaviours and interpret and use that data to plan meaningful instruction

How is it implemented?

The Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment Systems assessments are conducted one-on-one.

In Part 1 of the assessment, the student reads aloud and talks about the system’s original, precisely levelled fiction and nonfiction books, while the teacher observes and notes the reader’s behaviours on carefully constructed forms.
In Part 2, the teacher conducts a revealing Comprehension Conversation. Optional Part 3 uses a Writing About Reading prompt to elicit responses to the text.