The kindergartners of Indianapolis Public School 61 do not take tests that require them to read or write anything. On the contrary, all they have to do is listen to the questions and answer them out loud.  This is how 5-year-olds, who are not meant to be reading yet, are tested for “reading readiness.”

One example of a test is a series of questions about the mechanics of reading. Individually, the teacher holds a book and asks questions to the student such as the following: "Where is the book cover?" "Where do you start reading on the page?" "Which way do you read across the page?" These tests allow the teacher to measure each child’s ability and then provide appropriate instruction based on the results. Read the full article by Robert King from the Indianapolis Star here.