Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) Practice Test

What does a miscue analysis involve?

1. Analyzing written tests for grading purposes

2. Recording and interpreting a student's oral reading errors

3. Evaluating the effectiveness of teaching strategies

4. Assessing student attendance and participation

The correct answer is: Recording and interpreting a student's oral reading errors

A miscue analysis involves recording and interpreting a student's oral reading errors, which provides valuable insights into their reading processes, strategies, and areas for improvement. This type of analysis goes beyond simply noting mistakes; it includes understanding the nature of the errors—whether they are semantic (meaning-related), syntactic (grammar-related), or graphophonic (sound-letter correspondence). By analyzing these miscues, educators can better understand how a student approaches reading, which helps inform instruction tailored to the student's specific needs. In contrast, other options focus on different aspects of education. Analyzing written tests for grading purposes primarily assesses students' understanding of content rather than their reading processes. Evaluating the effectiveness of teaching strategies involves looking at overall instructional practices rather than focusing on individual reading errors. Assessing student attendance and participation concerns classroom behavior and engagement, which is unrelated to the nuances of reading performance indicated by a miscue analysis.