Is Your Child Struggling to Read? Here’s How We Can Help This Summer.

Summer is the perfect time to pause, reset, and get a clearer picture of where your child stands as a reader, before the new school year begins. At Carolina School Services, we're making that easier (and more affordable) than ever.

Through July 31st, we're offering 50% off our Informal Reading Inventory (IRI) with Chelsey Walker, our Reading Intervention Specialist. That's a comprehensive, one-on-one reading assessment for just $100 (regularly $200).

What Is an Informal Reading Inventory?

An IRI isn't a test your child can pass or fail; it's a tool designed to help us understand how your child reads, where they shine, and where they need a little more support.

The assessment has four core components:

1. Graded Word Lists

 Chelsey will present your child with lists of words in isolation, starting a few grade levels below their current grade. This helps identify their starting point and gives us a look at their automatic word recognition. Essentially, how quickly and confidently they can read words on their own.

2. Graded Passages

 Your child will read a series of short passages out loud while Chelsey carefully notes their reading accuracy, any errors (called miscues), and their overall fluency,  including how many words they read per minute. This part of the assessment paints a real-time picture of how your child processes text.

3. Comprehension Questions

 After reading, your child will retell the story and answer a range of questions, from straightforward "who and what" questions to deeper, inferential ones. This helps us understand not just whether your child can decode words, but whether they're truly understanding what they read.

4. Spelling

Assessing spelling provides a window into how a child processes the sounds they hear. More telling than when they spell correctly, a child’s invented spelling when they don’t know a word gives us a glimpse into how they are processing sounds and which spelling rules they have mastered. 

Does Any of This Sound Familiar?

Every child learns to read at their own pace, but some signs are worth paying attention to. If your child is experiencing any of the following, an Informal Reading Inventory could be a helpful next step:

• Reads slowly or hesitates frequently, even on familiar words

• Skips over words or substitutes similar-looking ones

• Can read out loud but struggles to explain what they just read

• Avoids reading independently or gets frustrated quickly

• Has received feedback from a teacher about reading concerns

• Reads below grade level or has fallen behind peers

If any of these feel familiar, you're not alone, and there's a clear path forward.

Why Does This Matter?

Reading struggles don't always look the same. Some children decode beautifully but miss the meaning. Others understand everything they hear but stumble over the words on the page. An IRI helps us see the full picture, so any support your child receives is targeted, appropriate, and actually effective.

Catching these patterns early, especially over the summer, means your child can walk into the new school year with more confidence and a clearer path forward.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Who is this assessment for?

The IRI is appropriate for school-age children who may be experiencing reading difficulties, have received feedback from teachers about reading concerns, or whose parents simply want a clearer understanding of their child's reading level heading into the new school year.

How long does the assessment take?

Most IRIs take approximately 45–60 minutes, depending on the child's age and reading level.

Will I receive results or a report?

Yes. After the assessment, Chelsey will share her findings with you and discuss what the results mean for your child's reading development and next steps.

Is this the same as a psychoeducational evaluation?

No,  an IRI is an informal, targeted reading assessment. It is not a diagnostic evaluation for learning disabilities. If a more comprehensive evaluation is recommended after the IRI, our team can guide you through those next steps.

How do I schedule or ask questions?

Reach out directly to Chelsey! She's happy to answer any questions before you book.

Ask the Expert!

Email Chelsey at CWalker@carolinaschoolservices.com

Phone: 984-289-3890

Website: www.carolinaschoolservices.com