Which method would provide an accurate assessment of a student's reading level early in the school year?

Utilizing individual phonics-based evaluations offers a precise method for assessing a student's reading level, particularly at the beginning of the school year. This approach allows educators to gauge a child's specific phonetic skills, word recognition capabilities, and overall reading fluency in a controlled environment. By focusing on individual performance, teachers can identify strengths and weaknesses in foundational reading skills that are crucial for literacy development. These evaluations can be tailored to each student's current level, providing insights that are pivotal for differentiating instruction and addressing individual learning needs.

Other methods, such as group reading sessions and reading aloud from a textbook, may not accurately reflect a student's true reading ability due to the influence of peers or the complexity of texts that may not align with each child's skill level. Observational assessments during class can provide valuable context about a student’s engagement and behavior but may lack the specificity needed to determine precise reading levels.