Arkansas Foundations of Reading Test (FORT)

What is a running record used for?

1. Assessing mathematical skills

2. Recording a child's reading behavior

3. Tracking attendance

4. Measuring physical growth

The correct answer is: Recording a child's reading behavior

A running record is a valuable tool specifically designed to assess a child's reading behavior. It involves a teacher observing and documenting a child's reading performance as they read a text aloud. This method allows educators to capture various aspects of reading, such as fluency, accuracy, and comprehension, which can inform instruction and guide interventions for struggling readers. The detailed notes taken during the reading help determine a child's reading level, patterns in errors, and their overall progress over time. The other options focus on areas unrelated to reading skills: assessing mathematical skills pertains directly to math, tracking attendance involves monitoring student presence in class, and measuring physical growth relates to health and development. Each of these serves a distinct purpose and does not provide insights into a child's reading behavior, making the choice of recording a child's reading behavior the most relevant and accurate answer.