What primary purpose do diagnostic assessments serve in the context of reading intervention?

Diagnostic assessments primarily focus on measuring specific foundational skills that are necessary for reading. This is crucial in the context of reading intervention because they help identify areas where a student may be struggling, such as phonemic awareness, decoding, or comprehension. By pinpointing these specific skills, educators and interventionists can tailor their instruction to meet the individual needs of each student, allowing for a more targeted and effective approach to improving literacy.

While assessing general academic performance, providing feedback to parents, and evaluating social skills development can all be important aspects of education, they do not directly address the specific challenges a student may face in reading. This focus on foundational skills through diagnostic assessments is essential for developing appropriate intervention strategies and ensuring students receive the support they need to succeed in their reading development.