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Assessment

ORF

Oral Reading Fluency

Definition

ORF is a CBM probe in which a student reads aloud a grade-level passage for one minute; the score is the number of Words Correct Per Minute (WCPM). ORF is the single strongest indicator of general reading competence in Grades 1-8, with validated norms across fall/winter/spring and percentile bands published by Hasbrouck & Tindal (2017, Tech. Rep. #1702, Univ. of Oregon). ELL and dialectal-variation factors must be considered to prevent misreferral.

Regulatory Citation

34 CFR §300.304(b)(3) (multi-source assessment data)

Example in Practice

A fourth-grader reads a spring benchmark passage at 95 WCPM — at the 25th percentile for Grade 4 spring norms — triggering Tier 2 fluency intervention.

Key Research Citations

  • ·Hasbrouck & Tindal (2017, Tech. Rep. #1702, Univ. of Oregon) — ORF norms
  • ·Deno (1985, Exceptional Children 52(3):219-232) — CBM foundations

Full bibliography available on the Research page.

Related Terms

This glossary entry is educational. It is not legal or clinical advice. Consult a qualified attorney or licensed clinician before making decisions that rely on this summary.