What type of assessment can help identify specific phonics deficiencies in students?

Diagnostic assessments are specifically designed to uncover individual students' strengths and weaknesses in specific areas, such as phonics. This type of assessment provides detailed information about a student's current skill level, allowing educators to pinpoint particular phonics deficiencies. By focusing on the specific areas where a student struggles, diagnostic assessments enable teachers to tailor instructional strategies to meet the unique needs of each child, making it an essential tool in structured literacy practices.

In contrast, norm-referenced assessments are used to compare a student's performance against a broader population, which may not provide the detailed insights needed for identifying specific phonics issues. Formative assessments are typically more fluid and aim to monitor student learning during instruction, rather than diagnosing deficiencies. Summative assessments measure student learning at the end of an instructional period and do not focus on providing insights into specific skill gaps, like phonics. Thus, diagnostic assessments are the most effective choice for identifying specific phonics deficiencies.