Vowel Teams Decoding Assessment
IEP Progress Monitoring & Phonics Mastery Kit
Vowel Teams Decoding Assessment
Standardized Probes for Irregular & Complex Vowel Digraphs / Diphthongs
Target Accuracy
90%
Across 3 Consecutive Sessions
Student:
Grade / Level:
Examiner:
Target Skill Competency Standard
Target Standard: When presented a grade-level decodable text, the student will accurately decode words containing irregular vowel teams (ai, ay, ee, ea, igh, ie, oa, ou, ow, au, aw, oe, oo, ew, oi, oy, ue) with at least 90% accuracy (18/20 words) across three consecutive sessions.
Administration Rules
- Administer individually in a quiet testing environment.
- Hand the student the designated probe sheet.
- Prompt: "Please read this story aloud. Read carefully and do your best with every word."
- Do not read target words for the student. Allow 3 seconds before prompting to move on.
Scoring Criteria
- Correct (1 pt): Accurate vowel team phoneme decoded within 3 sec (including self-corrections).
- Incorrect (0 pt): Vowel substitution, omission, mispronunciation, or refusal >3 sec.
- Mastery Benchmark: 18 or more correct target words out of 20 (≥ 90.0%).
3-Consecutive-Session Progress Monitoring Log
3 consecutive ≥90% sessions required for goal mastery
| Session |
Date |
Probe Form Administered |
Picture Clues? |
Score (/20) |
Acc. % |
≥ 90% Met? |
Initials |
| Check 1 |
|
Form A / Form D |
Yes / No |
___ / 20 |
___ % |
[ ] Yes [ ] No |
|
| Check 2 |
|
Form B / Form E |
Yes / No |
___ / 20 |
___ % |
[ ] Yes [ ] No |
|
| Check 3 |
|
Form C / Form F |
Yes / No |
___ / 20 |
___ % |
[ ] Yes [ ] No |
|
| Check 4* |
|
Retest if break in streak |
Yes / No |
___ / 20 |
___ % |
[ ] Yes [ ] No |
|
| Check 5* |
|
Retest if break in streak |
Yes / No |
___ / 20 |
___ % |
[ ] Yes [ ] No |
|
Goal Mastery Sign-off (3 Consecutive Sessions ≥90%)
Status: [ ] Goal Mastered • [ ] Continuing Intervention • [ ] Differentiated Support Needed
Teacher Signature: _____________________
Date Confirmed: _____________________
Vowel Teams Decoding Assessment • Teacher Administration & Tracking Log Page 1 of 8
Probe 1 With Picture Clues
Form A • Session 1
Name:
Date:
Examiner:
Student: Read the story aloud to your teacher. Use picture clues to help you decode. 20 Target Words
Picture Clues: Key Words in This Story
🐌
snail
ai
⛵
boat
oa
🥧
pie
ie
🦅
hawk
aw
🌙
moon
oo
🪙
coin
oi
Gale the Snail's Big Day
Gale is a small snail who lives by a winding dirt trail. On a warm spring day, Gale went out to play near the deep green grass. He wished to see the wide blue sea before dark.
The sun was bright in the sky. Beside a bakery that sold sweet peach pie, Gale spotted a painted wooden boat. High above, a gray storm cloud began to drift, blowing cold wind like winter snow.
"I must launch my trip now!" Gale said. A hungry wild hawk flew past and scraped its toe on a branch. Soon the pale moon rose. Gale wore his new cap, held a shiny silver coin with pure joy, and found a hidden clue under a tall oak tree.
Examiner Scoring Strip • Probe 1 (Picture Clues)
Target Words Correct: ____ / 20
Accuracy: ____ %
90% Met (≥18): [ ] Yes [ ] No
Target words: snail, trail, day, play, green, sea, bright, pie, boat, cloud, snow, launch, hawk, toe, moon, new, coin, joy, clue, tree. Session 1 Score Recorded on Page 1 [ ]
Vowel Teams Decoding Assessment • Form A (Picture Clues) Page 2 of 8
Probe 2 With Picture Clues
Form B • Session 2
Name:
Date:
Examiner:
Student: Read the story aloud to your teacher. Use picture clues to help you decode. 20 Target Words
Picture Clues: Key Words in This Story
🌧️
rain
ai
🐸
toad
oa
🦅
claw
aw
🥄
spoon
oo
🐦
crow
ow
👦
boy
oy
The Brave Cub on the Coast
A soft cold rain began to fall over the gray cliff. Little Bear ran to meet his sister by the brook to share a sweet berry treat. When dark night fell, their boat was safely tied to the dock.
Near the mossy bank, an old brown toad hopped across a smooth round stone. High above, a glossy black crow flapped its wings. It was not Little Bear's fault that the path was slippery. A bear with a sharp claw did not fear any forest foe.
Back at camp, Father stirred warm soup with a wooden spoon. A wild goose flew over the rich dark soil. A friendly young boy wearing a bright blue coat called out, "Do not wait in the cold! Come dream a happy dream." Together they took slow steps toward the glowing cabin.
Examiner Scoring Strip • Probe 2 (Picture Clues)
Target Words Correct: ____ / 20
Accuracy: ____ %
90% Met (≥18): [ ] Yes [ ] No
Target words: rain, gray, meet, treat, night, tied, toad, round, crow, fault, claw, foe, spoon, flew, soil, boy, blue, wait, dream, slow. Session 2 Score Recorded on Page 1 [ ]
Vowel Teams Decoding Assessment • Form B (Picture Clues) Page 3 of 8
Probe 3 With Picture Clues
Form C • Session 3
Name:
Date:
Examiner:
Student: Read the story aloud to your teacher. Use picture clues to help you decode. 20 Target Words
Picture Clues: Key Words in This Story
🚂
train
ai
🛣️
road
oa
🪀
toy
oy
🏡
house
ou
🧴
glue
ue
🌾
straw
aw
The Lost Toy in the Park
Leo rode the whistle train into the city and decided to stay all afternoon. After a busy game, he fell into a brief sleep upon a bench. When he awoke, he tried to reach into his deep pocket, but his favorite toy was missing!
"It must be high on the hill," he cried. He ran down the gravel road and gave a loud shout. "Look at the wildflowers grow!" his sister said, asking him to pause by the grassy green lawn.
Whenever Leo goes outside, he enjoys the cool breeze. With a pencil, he drew a map and used a stick to point at the bushes. There lay his shiny red toy airplane, stuck with sticky glue! He drank sweet cider through a paper straw, then walked happily back to his house.
Examiner Scoring Strip • Probe 3 (Picture Clues)
Target Words Correct: ____ / 20
Accuracy: ____ %
90% Met (≥18): [ ] Yes [ ] No
Target words: train, stay, sleep, reach, high, cried, road, shout, grow, pause, lawn, goes, cool, drew, point, toy, glue, sweet, straw, house. Session 3 Score Recorded on Page 1 [ ]
Vowel Teams Decoding Assessment • Form C (Picture Clues) Page 4 of 8
Probe 4 No Picture Clues (Text Only)
Form D • Session 1 Probe
Name:
Date:
Examiner:
Student Directions: Please read the story aloud. Read carefully and sound out each word. 20 Target Words
The Night Flight of Barn Owl
When evening comes, the gray owl begins to sail across the sky. He leaves his perch on the damp red clay mound and enters the deep forest shadows. Down below, field mice prepare for an evening feast.
The owl takes a swift silent flight through the open skies. His feathers act like a warm winter coat as he flies out into the dark. In the distance, cozy lanterns glow on the farm porch.
The farmers must haul their hay wagons before the morning dawn. A quiet mother doe steps softly between the tall trees of the dark wood. Long branches grew thick overhead. Other birds join in song, and people enjoy the calm peaceful night. It is true that the moon gives pale light. Hear the owl speak from the branch of an old hollow oak!
Student Self-Check:
[ ] I sounded out vowel teams [ ] I read carefully
Examiner Scoring Strip • Probe 4 (No Picture Clues)
Target Words Correct: ____ / 20
Accuracy: ____ %
90% Met (≥18): [ ] Yes [ ] No
Target words: sail, clay, deep, feast, flight, skies, coat, out, glow, haul, dawn, doe, wood, grew, join, enjoy, true, light, speak, oak. Consecutive Session Tracker Count: [ ] 1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3
Vowel Teams Decoding Assessment • Form D (Text Only) Page 5 of 8
Probe 5 No Picture Clues (Text Only)
Form E • Session 2 Probe
Name:
Date:
Examiner:
Student Directions: Please read the story aloud. Read carefully and sound out each word. 20 Target Words
The Campfire on Pine Hill
The campers ground golden grain for their fresh bread and set it on a wooden tray. A hungry robin ate a pumpkin seed from the path. Next, they washed their tin plates in clean river water with a soft sigh of relief.
Over the glowing logs, they made fried potatoes and began to roast apples. When a loud thunder clap shook the hill, they decided not to throw more sticks on the fire. Smoke would cause their eyes to sting as beetles began to crawl across the dirt.
Uncle Joe brushed dark soot from his gloves and served warm beef stew. "Do not let the food spoil," he joked with a grin. Their loyal hound sat close by, hoping for a tiny snack. The smoke took on a strange blue hue. Smiling with white teeth, they turned their faces toward the south and decided to paint a picture of the night.
Student Self-Check:
[ ] I sounded out vowel teams [ ] I read carefully
Examiner Scoring Strip • Probe 5 (No Picture Clues)
Target Words Correct: ____ / 20
Accuracy: ____ %
90% Met (≥18): [ ] Yes [ ] No
Target words: grain, tray, seed, clean, sigh, fried, roast, loud, throw, cause, crawl, Joe, soot, stew, spoil, loyal, hue, teeth, south, paint. Consecutive Session Tracker Count: [ ] 1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3
Vowel Teams Decoding Assessment • Form E (Text Only) Page 6 of 8
Probe 6 No Picture Clues (Text Only)
Form F • Session 3 Probe
Name:
Date:
Examiner:
Student Directions: Please read the story aloud. Read carefully and sound out each word. 20 Target Words
The Secret Cave by the Brook
An iron chain held the old wooden gate shut as the green branches began to sway. Maya took a quick peek through the tall fence to see the bubbling stream. She held on with a tight grip and brushed off dried mud from her knees.
She pulled her warm wool cloak close around her shoulders. A brave mountain scout stepped forward to show the way. Some tales said a ghost might haunt the cavern, but Maya took out paper to draw the entrance and chased away all woe.
Inside the rocky room, a quiet pool reflected lantern light. A beaver paused to chew on birch bark in the moist cool air. Nearby stood a wooden duck decoy left by an old traveler. The explorers were due to return home by dinner time. It was a wonderful sight to watch deer leap across the gravel, and they stopped to row their little canoe across the pond.
Student Self-Check:
[ ] I sounded out vowel teams [ ] I read carefully
Examiner Scoring Strip • Probe 6 (No Picture Clues)
Target Words Correct: ____ / 20
Accuracy: ____ %
90% Met (≥18): [ ] Yes [ ] No
Target words: chain, sway, peek, stream, tight, dried, cloak, scout, show, haunt, draw, woe, pool, chew, moist, decoy, due, sight, leap, row. Consecutive Session Tracker Count: [ ] 1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3
Vowel Teams Decoding Assessment • Form F (Text Only) Page 7 of 8
Teacher Scoring Reference & Error Analysis
Vowel Team Master Word Key & Diagnostic Matrix
17 Target Vowel Teams
20 Target Words / Probe
This matrix cross-references all 17 irregular vowel teams across all 6 assessment versions. Use this key to quickly tally correct responses and pinpoint phonemic error patterns.
| Team |
Sound / Type |
Form A (Pic 1) |
Form B (Pic 2) |
Form C (Pic 3) |
Form D (Text 1) |
Form E (Text 2) |
Form F (Text 3) |
| ai |
Long a /eɪ/ |
snail, trail |
rain, wait |
train |
sail |
grain, paint |
chain |
| ay |
Long a /eɪ/ |
day, play |
gray |
stay |
clay |
tray |
sway |
| ee |
Long e /iː/ |
green, tree |
meet |
sleep, sweet |
deep |
seed, teeth |
peek |
| ea |
Long e /iː/ |
sea |
treat, dream |
reach |
feast, speak |
clean |
stream, leap |
| igh |
Long i /aɪ/ |
bright |
night |
high |
flight, light |
sigh |
tight, sight |
| ie |
Long i /aɪ/ |
pie |
tied |
cried |
skies |
fried |
dried |
| oa |
Long o /oʊ/ |
boat |
toad |
road |
coat, oak |
roast |
cloak |
| ou |
Diphthong /aʊ/ |
cloud |
round |
shout, house |
out |
loud, south |
scout |
| ow |
Long o /oʊ/ |
snow |
crow, slow |
grow |
glow |
throw |
show, row |
| au |
Broad a /ɔː/ |
launch |
fault |
pause |
haul |
cause |
haunt |
| aw |
Broad a /ɔː/ |
hawk |
claw |
lawn, straw |
dawn |
crawl |
draw |
| oe |
Long o /oʊ/ |
toe |
foe |
goes |
doe |
Joe |
woe |
| oo |
Long /uː/ or /ʊ/ |
moon |
spoon |
cool |
wood |
soot |
pool |
| ew |
Long u /uː/ |
new |
flew |
drew |
grew |
stew |
chew |
| oi |
Diphthong /ɔɪ/ |
coin |
soil |
point |
join |
spoil |
moist |
| oy |
Diphthong /ɔɪ/ |
joy |
boy |
toy |
enjoy |
loyal |
decoy |
| ue |
Long u /uː/ |
clue |
blue |
glue |
true |
hue |
due |
Common Error Patterns to Note
- Diphthong Confusion: Confusing oi/oy with ou/ow.
- Variant Vowels: Reading au/aw as short /a/ rather than broad /ɔː/.
- Silent Letter Teams: Omitting the silent 'gh' in igh or pronouncing 'w' in ow/ew.
- Visual Dependency: Score drop of >15% between Picture and No-Picture versions indicates over-reliance on contextual illustrations.
IEP Reporting & Next Steps
- Goal Attainment: 3 consecutive sessions with scores ≥18/20 (90%) verifies objective mastery.
- Generalization Check: Ensure at least 2 of the 3 consecutive sessions are completed on text-only versions (Forms D, E, or F).
- Remediation: Re-teach specific sub-clusters (e.g., diphthongs vs. long vowel digraphs) if accuracy is below 80%.
Vowel Teams Decoding Assessment • Master Key & Diagnostic Protocol Page 8 of 8
