identify struggling readers

How to Identify Struggling Readers: Actionable Steps and Data Tools

As a certified special education teacher with 25 years of experience and a Master’s in Reading, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to get students to engage in areas where they struggle. One of the most common and critical areas of difficulty is reading. Through years of working with diverse learners, I’ve developed effective strategies to identify struggling readers and support their growth using data, observation, and consistent instruction.

Anyone can post reading strategies online, but this guide is based on real classroom experience, Wilson Reading System Certification, and decades of helping students close their literacy gaps.

How to Identify Struggling Readers in Your Classroom

If you’re wondering how to identify struggling readers, start by observing and collecting evidence. While many schools already use diagnostic tools and data teams, teachers often notice day-to-day challenges before the formal data does. Here are key indicators to look for:

• Difficulty decoding grade-level words
• Struggling to recognize or remember sight words
• Poor reading fluency and slower reading rate
• Limited comprehension, even with read-aloud support
• Below-level spelling and writing skills

Reading and writing skills are closely linked, and weaknesses in one area often reflect challenges in the other.

Use Data to Support Struggling Readers

Alongside observations, data is essential when determining how to support your students. Whether you use Dibels, Intervention Central, or custom tracking systems, consistency matters. Here’s how to start:

🔤 Letter Identification & Sounds

Use capital and lowercase flashcards and ask students to identify either the letter name or sound. Track results weekly in Google Sheets or use Dibels’ Letter Naming Fluency for standardized support.

🧩 Decoding

Identify where students are on the decoding continuum, CVC words, digraphs, blends, glued  or welded sounds, or multisyllabic words. Use consistent lists and track which words they can read accurately. If your curriculum doesn’t provide lists, make your own sorted by phonics skill.

👁️‍🗨️ Sight Words

Start with Fry or Dolch sight word lists. Begin with the first list and move up until the student begins to struggle. Use data to determine where to provide reinforcement.

📘 Comprehension

If students can read fluently but struggle to explain what they’ve read, assess their comprehension. Use free resources like Read Works or Read Theory, or your school’s Learning A-Z subscription. Track literal, inferential, and vocabulary-based questions.