FAQ

The ReadBasix™ assessment is composed of six subtests that assess reading skills in:

• Word Recognition and Decoding
• Vocabulary
• Morphology
• Sentence Processing
• Reading Efficiency
• Reading Comprehension

Each subtest assesses a specific component of reading that may be affecting a student’s reading success. The five foundational reading skills are not measured by other assessments that focus only on reading comprehension. Capti Assess allows educators to evaluate foundational skills independently in 5-10 minutes each. Learn more about subtests.

Yes. Capti ReadBasix™ is the modern version of RISE / SARA.

RISE / SARA are the original names of ReadBasix. RISE / SARA was shown to predict state reading scores and performance on other standardized measures of reading comprehension. This research has been used to identify students who are likely below proficient on a state test. For more details, refer to the SARA/RISE technical report.

ReadBasix™ was developed by ETS (Educational Testing Service), a world leader in assessment development, and brought to market by Capti. Learn more about the science behind it.

ReadBasix™ was created by researchers while working on the Reading for Understanding(RfU) Initiative by the Institute of Education Sciences (U.S. Department of Education). The latest Science of Reading includes research from a variety of interdisciplinary fields including Cognitive Psychology, Communication Sciences, Developmental Psychology, Education, Special Education, Implementation Science, Linguistics, Neuroscience, and School Psychology. A team of experts led by Dr. John Sabatini, a world-renowned reading researcher, developed the assessment based on the Science of Reading principles. This assessment measures key foundational reading skills derived from the Science of Reading literature, which allows educators to effectively identify areas where learners struggle. Since teachers can pinpoint the areas of need, they help students overcome reading deficiencies, and make the U.S. education system better prepared for the 21st century. Learn more about the science behind ReadBasix™.

ReadBasix aligns with the CCSS for foundational reading skills, language standards, and the college and career readiness anchor standards for reading. The foundational reading skills standards cover constructs related to ReadBasix including decoding, word recognition, fluency, and morphology. ReadBasix augments the standards by measuring the five foundational skills beyond grade 5 (where the foundational reading skills in the CCSS end). Failure to measure foundational skills beyond grade 5 may limit the detection of key sources of reading issues. ReadBasix can assist educators in determining sources of reading difficulties with students in grades 6-12 where foundational reading skill standards are assumed to be fully developed, and therefore not addressed.

Language standards cover constructs related to vocabulary and sentence processing, which are focused on in the CCSS from grades 3-12. ReadBasix specifically measures the language standards aligned with choosing words and phrases for effect (i.e., L.3.3a., L.4.3a.) and pronoun use (i.e., L.6.1c., L.6.1d.).

The college and career readiness anchor standards for reading cover constructs related to ReadBasix’s comprehension subtest. Specifically, the reading comprehension subtest measures CCSS anchor standards 1, 2, and 4 related to reading closely, determining central ideas, and interpreting words and phrases used within a text.

Given that the assessment is aligned with standards, it does show progress with the skills addressed in the standards. Each subtest uniquely demonstrates progress on various standards. The list below shows an overview of the connection between each subtest and its aligned standards.

1. Word Recognition & Decoding – CCSS Reading Standards, Foundational Skills, Phonics and Word Recognition
2. Vocabulary – CCSS Language Standards, Vocabulary Use and Acquisition
3. Morphology – CCSS Reading Standards, Foundational Skills, Phonics and Word Recognition
4. Sentence Processing – CCSS Language Standards, Knowledge of Language
5. Reading Efficiency – CCSS Reading Standards, Foundational Skills, Fluency
6. Reading Comprehension – CCSS Reading Anchor Standards 1, 2, and 4

ReadBasix provides an official Lexile® Reading Measure — a numeric score representing a student’s reading ability — calculated from performance on three key subtests: Sentence Processing, Reading Efficiency, and Reading Comprehension. It uses over 90 data points for one of the most accurate measures available, based on a 2023 alignment study with MetaMetrics. The Lexile measure appears in both individual and group reports, allowing you to sort students, match them with appropriately complex texts, track progress, and compare performance across assessments from different providers. Learn more about Lexile integration.

Many popular assessments focus primarily on overall comprehension, oral reading fluency, or broad benchmarks, often with less emphasis on isolating foundational component skills in secondary students. ReadBasix stands out by:

• Diagnosing five independent foundational skills (Word Recognition & Decoding, Vocabulary, Morphology, Sentence Processing, Reading Efficiency) and overall Reading Comprehension in grades 3–12, including beyond grade 5 where many tools stop measuring basics.
• Allowing targeted, quick administration (5–10 minutes per subtest, flexible for progress monitoring).
• Identifying critical barriers like below-threshold decoding that can mask comprehension issues in adolescents — a gap in many secondary-focused tools.
• Providing detailed component insights plus an official Lexile® measure for text matching and cross-assessment comparisons.
• Being grounded in ETS research and the Science of Reading, with strong predictive validity for state tests. While no single tool fits every need, ReadBasix excels at pinpointing specific sources of reading difficulty for middle and high school students to inform targeted MTSS/RTI instruction.

Students in grades 3-12 can complete the ReadBasix™ assessment. ReadBasix™ does not have data on students below grade 3. ReadBasix™ is not recommended for students who do not have beginner decoding skills required to complete, at least, the Word Recognition and Decoding subtest.

ReadBasix™ has three levels of difficulty (A, B, C) that roughly align with elementary, middle, and high school level. ReadBasix™ automatically personalizes the difficulty of each subtest for every student based on their previous performance.

A complete battery of all six subtests takes 45–60 minutes on average. Most subtests (except Reading Comprehension) can be administered independently in 5–10 minutes, allowing flexible use for targeted screening, progress monitoring, or follow-up diagnostics. Schools sometimes choose to split the full battery of subtests into 2 days, with each administration up to 30 minutes long.

ReadBasix™ works well for identifying strengths and weaknesses in foundational reading skills for students learning English as an additional language.

No, the ReadBasix™ assessment is only available in English. We are working on adding a Spanish assessment in the future.

ReadBasix identifies foundational skill gaps (e.g., decoding below threshold, poor morphological awareness) that are key indicators of dyslexia and other reading difficulties, especially in secondary students where many screeners fall short. It measures component skills independently, helping distinguish comprehension issues from decoding/fluency barriers. In states like Minnesota (required for grades 4–12 starting 2025–26), it serves as the approved tool for identifying reading difficulties including dyslexia characteristics when all six subtests are used.

Yes — when administering ReadBasix, the subtests you added to an assessment are presented consecutively in a seamless, continuous flow. They roll right into one another without requiring manual intervention or mandatory breaks between them, allowing the student to complete the entire assessment in one sitting.

ReadBasix reports offer a robust set of metrics and flexible customizations to support data-driven instruction, MTSS/RTI decisions, and progress tracking. Key Metrics:

• Vertically scaled scale scores (190–310) with performance quadrants (weak, low average, high average, strong).
• Grade equivalents in bands (at/above grade level, 1 below, 2+ below).
• Nationally normed percentiles for peer comparisons.
• Official Lexile® measures for text matching and growth tracking.
• RTI tier recommendations (customizable cut points)
• MTSS student groupings based on overall subtest performance

ReadBasix reports deliver instant, actionable data to guide targeted instruction and MTSS/RTI decisions for grades 3–12 students.

• Individual reports show skill-specific strengths/weaknesses, personalized instructional recommendations, progress visuals, and MTSS placement history to support differentiated teaching and progress monitoring.
• Group reports categorize students into MTSS groups, provide percentile-based RTI tier recommendations (customizable cut points), and enable comparisons across classes, schools, or demographics to identify patterns and allocate supports.
• Growth tracking includes benchmark comparisons (BOY/MOY/EOY) with seasonally adjusted metrics, helping evaluate intervention effectiveness and adjust tiers.

ReadBasix excels at progress monitoring with built-in growth tracking features.

• Track changes over time using benchmark comparisons (BOY, MOY, EOY) and seasonally adjusted year-over-year growth metrics.
• Individual reports show chronological results, MTSS group placement history, short- and long-term progress visualizations, and proximity to benchmarks.
• Quick summaries integrate latest results across assessments or focus on specific skills for ongoing evaluation of intervention response.
• Subtests can be readministered every 6–8 weeks to monitor targeted growth efficiently. These tools support data-driven adjustments in MTSS/RTI and help document student response to instruction.

Yes — ReadBasix includes shareable, family-friendly and student-friendly summaries designed for parent and student engagement.

• Share clear reports of a student’s recent results, paired with plain-language explanations and practical, research-based suggestions for home support.
• These foster meaningful conversations between teachers, families, and students to strengthen home-school connections and motivate goal-setting.
• Export options to PDF make sharing easy for parent conferences, emails, or portals (e.g., district systems like Infinite Campus where applicable).
• Reports are currently available in English, Spanish, and Somali. If your district has needs for reports in another language not listed here, our team can easily accommodate you.

ReadBasix is designed with inclusivity in mind and conforms to WCAG 2.1 and Section 508 standards (see our full VPAT report). Key built-in accommodations include: adjustable font and color themes, human-narrated audio directions, and extended time options where applicable.

Yes — Capti prioritizes student data privacy. We are fully FERPA-compliant, use industry-standard encryption (in transit and at rest), limit access to authorized school personnel only, and do not sell or share student data. ReadBasix operates as a browser-based tool with no local data storage on devices.

Yes — Capti has successfully completed a SOC 2 Type 2 examination.

This independent audit confirms that our controls for security, confidentiality, and availability are both well-designed and operating effectively over time. SOC 2 report is available upon request.

Capti ReadBasix™ is priced using a tiered model for multi-license accounts, making it a cost-effective solution for schools and districts of all sizes. To receive a customized quote, please contact us at sales@capti.com or call 888-533-7884 (Ext. 2).

You may purchase as many, or as few ReadBasix™ licenses as you wish, though the minimum requirement is 10 licenses.

Capti ReadBasix™ is available as a one-year subscription, with multi-year options also available. Each account includes a set number of student licenses that can be rostered at any time during the subscription period. There are no limits on test administrations—students may be assessed as often as needed. For example, with 100 licenses, you can have up to 100 students active in your account at once.

We provide training, customer support, and documentation free of charge for all our clients. Tailored professional learning sessions are offered at an additional cost.

Yes — book a personalized demo to see ReadBasix in action, explore reports, and discuss how it fits your school’s or district’s needs. Our team tailors the session to your context.

Schedule directly here: Book a Demo or contact sales@capti.com / 888-533-7884 (Ext. 2) for assistance.

Yes — if your school or district is already using ReadBasix, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Our support team prides itself on being very responsive, so you can quickly get help using the platform and making the most of your data.

• Platform support — Free, responsive assistance for navigating ReadBasix, troubleshooting, administering assessments, generating reports, and general usage questions. Email support@capti.com or call 888-533-7884 — we aim to respond promptly and resolve issues fast.
• Professional learning (PD) — Focused on deeply understanding and applying ReadBasix results for instruction and MTSS/RTI. We offer free initial training sessions to get started, plus tailored, paid options (e.g., 75-minute workshops on subtest analysis and data-driven strategies, customized data review meetings, virtual coaching, and office hours) to fit your team’s needs.
• Exhaustive documentation — Free, comprehensive resources covering both platform use and results interpretation, including the Educator’s Manual, step-by-step guides, tutorial videos, how-to articles, and reference materials — self-serve anytime.
• Free webinars — No-cost sessions on the Science of Reading and ReadBasix applications, providing practical strategies for evidence-based literacy instruction, assessment use, and secondary reading support. These build foundational knowledge and best practices for your team.