Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System 1 & 2 Seminar
Use the Benchmark Assessment System to assess student reading behaviors and inform your teaching.
In this 2-day training, learn how to administer, score, and analyze student reading behaviors utilizing the Benchmark Assessment System. Discover how to use the information with the Fountas & Pinnell Literacy Continuum to guide your teaching.
- Classroom Teachers, Interventionists & Specialists
- Literacy Coaches & Teacher Leaders
- Literacy Collaborative Affiliation Discount available
The Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System (BAS), is a series of fiction and nonfiction texts that teachers can use to identify a student’s reading level and progress. Teachers use the Benchmark Assessment System 1 with students in grades K–2 and the Benchmark Assessment System 2 for students in grades 3–8.
Through demonstration, guided practice, and discussion, you will learn how to administer, score, and analyze student results from the Benchmark Assessment System and understand how to use the information to guide teaching.
Course Outcomes
- Administer, code, and score oral reading behaviors
- Conduct a standardized comprehension conversation
- Determine independent, instructional, and placement levels for readers using the Fountas and Pinnell A–N or L–Z Text Level Gradient
- Analyze a child’s reading performance, including reading comprehension, reading rate, and word analysis. This will help you assess the reader’s current literacy processing system
- Determine the instructional implications for whole-group, small-group, and individual instruction using assessment results and The Fountas & Pinnell Literacy Continuum
You’ll earn 12 professional development hours in this training.
Required Materials
You must have access to the materials found in the Benchmark Assessment Systems 1 or 2. During registration, please specify which edition (3rd or 2nd) you will be able to access.
To learn more or purchase the Benchmark Assessment Systems, click here.
Cynthia Downend, Assistant Director, Literacy Programs
Cynthia Downend has worked at the Center for Reading Recovery and Literacy Collaborative for over 10 years, serving in the roles of primary level literacy trainer and currently as the assistant director for primary literacy programs.
Cynthia has worked with many school districts across the United States to train and develop district level literacy staff developers, literacy coaches, classroom teachers, literacy interventionists and school administrators on a variety of topics related to improving literacy instruction.
Prior to her work at Lesley University, Cynthia held positions as a literacy coach, Reading Recovery teacher, and classroom teacher for over 20 years working in a variety of school settings including urban, suburban, and international schools.
Cynthia holds licenses in both elementary education and school administration, and achieved National Board Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
Cancellation Deadline & Refund Policies
You must cancel in writing two weeks before the start of the course to get a refund, minus a $50 processing fee. Email CRRLC@lesley.edu to cancel. If you are unable to attend, you may send a substitute at any time. Regardless of weather conditions, if the event is held but you cannot attend, you will be billed for the full amount.
Registration Deadline & Shipping Policies
The registration portal closes two business days before the first day of training to allow the minimum amount of time to ship training materials (if applicable).
If you register within two weeks before the registration portal closes, you may incur additional fees for expedited shipping. You may still experience delays in receiving your materials.
Requirements for Participation
After the training, you will receive a certificate of attendance for your participation. To receive a complete certificate, participation during the specified times is required. Additional work may be assigned to meet the professional development hours.
With Your Colleagues Option
We can tailor the Benchmark Assessment System Training (K-2 or 3-8) to your school/district. Participants in the group must all be using the Benchmark Assessment Systems and have access to their materials prior to the training.
This option can be delivered virtually or in-person for a group within your school/district (as COVID-19 social distancing guidelines allow).
Fees & Policies
- Fees are determined by the number of participants and the duration of training.
- If applicable, travel expenses for each trainer (airfare, hotel, meals, and rental car) are an additional cost to be paid by the district.
- Professional development sessions that require extensive travel or overnight stays (if applicable) may incur an additional surcharge.
- If the number of participants exceeds the maximum, another trainer may be needed. This will increase training costs and travel expenses.
- Unless otherwise noted, fees do not include the cost of any required books or materials. The faculty trainer will consult with the district to select books based on the topics and the district’s needs.
- School districts in the same geographic area participating in the same training may combine their resources to meet participant minimums. Payment must be on one district’s purchase order.
For detailed costs, complete our online form to request this training for your school/district and we will contact you.
Interested in professional learning at your school or district? Schedule a meeting with one of our faculty trainers.
“The strengths of the training were being able to work through the practice readings with my co-workers, and getting live and immediate feedback.”
Clayton Brown, Teacher, Boston Public Schools, Massachusetts
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