The Philippine Informal Reading Inventory (Phil-IRI) continues to evolve as a powerful tool for literacy assessment across public schools. The 2024 Phil-IRI Manual for Junior High School offers not just a refined set of procedures, but also includes updated reading materials tailored to meet the diverse levels of learners. Whether you are an English teacher, school head, or education researcher, this year’s edition provides a comprehensive framework that aligns with the Department of Education’s (DepEd) thrust for quality, evidence-based instruction.
📚 What is the Phil-IRI? — Bridging Reading Gaps with Purpose 🔍
The Phil-IRI is an informal reading inventory designed to measure the reading proficiency of Filipino learners. According to the Department of Education (DepEd), this tool aids teachers in diagnosing reading levels and tailoring interventions based on actual student needs. It is not just an assessment—it’s a gateway to unlocking learners’ potential by determining their independent, instructional, and frustration reading levels.
While previous manuals focused heavily on elementary education, the 2024 Junior High School Phil-IRI extends the reach, addressing the often-overlooked reading struggles of Grades 7 to 10 students. This is a significant shift as adolescent learners require more context-rich materials and adaptive strategies for comprehension.
🧠 What’s New in the 2024 Phil-IRI Manual? 🔄
The latest version of the Phil-IRI for Junior High School comes with enhanced features that reflect DepEd’s recalibrated MATATAG curriculum. According to the Bureau of Learning Delivery (BLD), this edition includes:
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Updated Oral and Silent Reading Passages: Carefully curated to represent Grade 7 to 10 texts, these materials go beyond simple stories and introduce authentic, age-appropriate selections across fiction and nonfiction genres.
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Comprehensive Teacher's Guide: This includes step-by-step instructions, sample questions, scoring rubrics, and suggested remediation strategies based on students' performance.
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Diagnostic to Post-Test Flow: The manual helps schools implement reading assessments throughout the school year—from preliminary baseline testing to end-of-year evaluations.
Unlike past iterations, the 2024 Manual encourages literacy profiling, enabling educators to track reading development over time. It’s not just about labeling students as “frustrated readers,” but helping them cross over into comprehension mastery with proper support.
📖 The Power of the Reading Materials—Authentic and Engaging 🔤
The reading selections included in this manual are not mere fillers; they are essential tools for promoting higher-order thinking. Stories range from traditional Philippine folktales to informational texts involving local history, science, and social issues. These texts are purposefully selected to reflect the language level of Filipino teenagers while respecting their interests and cognitive maturity.
Passages are categorized per grade level, and each comes with a structured comprehension check—questions that test literal, inferential, and critical thinking. There is also a section for vocabulary development, promoting contextual understanding and word analysis. These features make the manual a literacy powerhouse, ideal for the holistic development of reading competence.
📝 How Teachers Can Maximize the Manual in 2024 🎯
One of the biggest strengths of this year's Phil-IRI Manual is its user-friendliness. Teachers don’t need advanced training to implement it. With an emphasis on formative assessment, the process encourages reflective teaching.
Educators are advised to:
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Conduct reading inventories early in the school year using the provided texts.
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Use the results to guide differentiated instruction in reading classes.
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Repeat the assessment quarterly to measure progress.
According to DepEd Order No. 14, s. 2018, using tools like Phil-IRI supports the broader goal of enhancing learning outcomes. This makes the manual not just a classroom requirement but a strategic instructional resource.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD 2024 Phil-IRI Junior High School Manual
🧩 Phil-IRI and the Bigger Picture of Nation Building 🇵🇭
Why does this matter? Because reading is foundational to every academic subject and real-world task. Improving reading levels in Junior High School means preparing learners for more than just exams—it means enabling them to analyze, interpret, and make decisions based on what they read.
As the Department of Education pushes for a stronger learning recovery program, the Phil-IRI Manual serves as a vital instrument in identifying and addressing learning gaps born from years of educational disruptions. It is timely, research-aligned, and grounded in the local educational context.