Reading tests - how do they assess children?

[giddly]

Hello. DD2's (6) teacher called DH over today at drop off and said she had been formally assessed for reading yesterday and had a reading age of 11. Which would be nice if it were true, but I'm 100% sure it isn't. She's a good reader but is much better at deciphering words than understanding meaning. She reads at ORT level 14, and even at that level often doesn't fully get what's going on. She has little idea of inference, although it is improving, and does not read for pleasure (she see's it purely as a technical exercise despite our best efforts to get her enthused). Do they just assess on whether they can decipher the words? If so it's ridiculous. I know DD1 (8) is assessed on her understanding for SATS etc. as well, which makes much more sense.

It depends on the reading test! Some certainly just test ability to decode a word with no requirements for comprehension. My DC's school measure reading age with such a test, but they also test comprehension alongside it.

Thanks - it seems very inconsistent!

There are dozens of reading tests, all different.
Some are simply lists of words that become progressively more difficult.
Some require the child to read sentences and answer questions.
Some have missing words which the child must select from a choice of 3 or 4 to complete the sentence.
Just as they are all different so are the results.
I would imagine your child will be reassessed at the end of the year and this is a good indicator of how much progress she has made but treat raw reading ages with caution.

Thanks mrz - I might have a word with the teacher for more info. I would imagene it was the simple list of words as I doubt she would do anything like as well in the other type.