The best assessment informs decision-making about the needs of individual learners and leads to instruction that addresses students’ weaknesses and builds on their strengths.

Here is a summary of IRA resources to help you understand and implement best practice in assessment. For even more, select "Assessment" under the Topic heading in Advanced Search. (For information specifically on Response to Intervention, visit our resource collection.)

• Standards for the Assessment of Reading and Writing

• High-Stakes Assessments in Reading
• On Literacy Assessment (resolution)
• On Assessment for Children in Special Education Experiencing Reading Difficulties (resolution)

• Peter Afflerbach on assessment

IRA's annual convention offers the best kind of professional development—the chance to learn and share with colleagues in a professional community. Check out www.iraconvention.org for details.

• Albert J. Harris Award, for an larticle or monograph that makes an outstanding contribution to understanding of prevention or assessment of reading or learning disabilities