Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Subject Area Practice Test

Tad, a 3rd grade student, is working on a 2.5 instructional reading level but struggles with comprehension. What would be the most appropriate first test for the teacher to administer?

1. Vocabulary Test

2. Phonics Test

3. Comprehension Test

4. Spelling Test

The correct answer is: Phonics Test

Administering a phonics test would be the most appropriate first step for a teacher working with Tad, who is reading at a 2.5 instructional level. At this stage, understanding phonics— the relationship between letters and sounds—is crucial for a student’s reading development. If Tad is struggling with comprehension, it may be related to his foundational phonetic skills. By assessing these skills first, the teacher can identify whether Tad has difficulty decoding words, which is essential for reading fluency and, consequently, comprehension. Assessing phonics will help determine if Tad has the basic skills needed to decode the text correctly. Once his phonics skills are assessed and any gaps identified, the teacher can then address those specific areas, which can lead to improved decoding and, eventually, better comprehension. The other options, such as a comprehension test or vocabulary test, may not be effective at this point because if Tad cannot decode properly, he will struggle to understand what he reads, regardless of his vocabulary knowledge. Similarly, a spelling test focuses more on writing and knowledge of words, rather than the immediate need for foundational reading skills. Therefore, starting with a phonics assessment targets the root of his reading challenges.