Foundations of Reading Test
Foundations of Reading Test for Wisconsin (FORT)
The computer-based test assesses proficiency in and understanding of reading and writing content knowledge, literacy development and instruction.
A passing score of 233 on the Foundations of Reading Test (FORT) 190 is required for initial licensure in the state of Wisconsin.
Test objectives
- Understand phonological and phonemic awareness.
- Understand concepts about print and the alphabetic principle.
- Understand the role of phonics in promoting reading development.
- Understand word analysis skills and strategies.
Development of Reading Comprehension
- Understand vocabulary development.
- Understand how to apply reading comprehension skills and strategies to imaginative/literacy texts.
- Understand to apply reading comprehension skills and strategies to informational/expository text.
Reading Assessment and Instruction
- Understand multiple approaches to reading instruction
- Understand formal and informal methods for assessment reading development
Integration of Knowledge and Understanding
- Prepare an organized, developed analysis on a topic related to one or more of the following: foundations for reading development; development of reading comprehension; reading assessment and instruction.
Who is required to take the test?
- Early Childhood-Middle Childhood Majors – Regular Education and Dual Education
- Middle Childhood-Early Adolescence Majors – Regular Education and Dual Education
- Special Education Majors
Teacher candidates are required to take the Wisconsin Foundations of Reading Test (FORT) for licensure. At least one attempt should be made prior to application to student teaching.
This change in College policy was created in response to revised licensing rules of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI). The DPI now provides a Tier One License with Stipulations for those who have completed an educator preparation program but have not met all requirements for licensure. Please note that this license would require you to attempt the FORT each year you hold it; passing the FORT remains a requirement for moving on to a Tier II Provisional or Tier III Lifetime license. See PI34.028 of the administrative code for more information.
Resources
Practice Tests
- FoRT-190 (MTLE) Practice Test
- FoRT-190 (MTLE) Practice Test Appendix
- FORT Preparation Materials from Pearson – includes alternative open-response item.
NEW Foundations of Reading Test Self-Paced Modules
Literacy instructors across the University of Wisconsin System offer a self-paced course designed to support participants’ understanding of the teaching of reading and engage in preparation work for the Foundations of Reading Test (FoRT 90). Registration and engagement in the course is free of charge.
This course has enabled open enrollment. Participants can self-enroll in the course using this link URL: https://uws-ce.instructure.com/enroll/L9RACF. Alternatively, they can sign up at https://uws-ce.instructure.com/register and use the following join code: L9RACF
Additional online resources can be found through the following website:
https://uwm.edu/education/academics/foundations-of-reading-test-fort/
Print Resources
- Put Reading First: The Research Building Blocks for Teaching Children to Read – Contains excellent summaries of terms and instruction in Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary and Text Comprehension.
- National Reading Panel Report: Practical Advice for Teachers, Timothy Shanahan
- What Does Research Tell Us About Teaching Reading to English Language Learners? -A comprehensive article from Reading Rockets about literacy instruction for English Learners.
- Saying the “p” word: Nine guidelines for exemplary phonics instruction, Steven A. Stahl
- Supporting phonemic awareness development in the classroom, Hallie Kay Yopp and Ruth Helen Yopp
- Fluency: Bridge between decoding and reading comprehension, John J. Pikulski and David J. Chard
- Reading comprehension: What every teacher needs to know, Maureen McLaughlin
- Nine things every teacher should know about words and vocabulary instruction, Karen Bromley
- Letter Names Can Cause Confusion and Other Things to Know About Letter-Sound Relationships, Meghan K. Block and Nell K. Duke
Faculty and Staff Support
Kathryn Allen, FORT Coordinator
allenk@uwosh.edu
Kari Jaeckel-Rodriguez
Reading Study Center
jackelk@uwosh.edu