Reading is more than decoding words—it's the gateway to lifelong learning. For teachers in the Philippines, the Phil-IRI Form 1B Screening Test Class Reading Record (STCRR) is more than a tool for evaluation; it's a classroom compass that directs instruction, identifies student needs, and supports strategic planning. In this blog, we explore how teachers can use the STCRR not just as a form, but as a transformative tool for shaping stronger reading programs.
π What is the Phil-IRI Form 1B STCRR? A Teacher’s Ally in Literacy Monitoring π§
The Phil-IRI Form 1B is part of the Philippine Informal Reading Inventory (Phil-IRI) developed by the Department of Education (DepEd). This particular form—the Screening Test Class Reading Record (STCRR)—functions as a class-level summary of student reading comprehension.
It records individual scores in literal, inferential, and critical comprehension, while also identifying those who need further testing. According to the DepEd's Phil-IRI Manual of Administration, students who score 14 or higher out of 20 in the screening test are considered proficient enough not to require additional reading diagnosis.
The STCRR is not just a compliance document—it’s an essential element in building effective, data-informed teaching in the classroom.
π§π« Why Teachers Should Care: The STCRR as a Game-Changer in Reading Instruction π―
Many teachers focus heavily on lesson delivery but often lack real-time, evidence-based insights about their students' reading comprehension. Here's where the STCRR comes in:
π Early Detection of At-Risk Readers
The STCRR immediately flags learners scoring below 14, allowing teachers to act before comprehension gaps widen. This proactive step can prevent long-term academic setbacks.
π€ Improving Group-Level Interventions
With a full view of the class’s strengths and weaknesses, teachers can plan more targeted group reading lessons. For instance, if most students struggle with inferential thinking, the teacher can focus the next reading module on that specific skill.
⏳ Streamlined Instructional Planning
Since students who meet the benchmark don’t proceed to the full PHIL-IRI, educators save valuable time. This efficient system allows more energy to be directed toward students who genuinely need intervention.
CLICK HERE to download Phil-IRI Group Screening Test Form
π Making the Most of STCRR Data: What Teachers Should Do Next π
Once teachers complete the STCRR, the real work begins: analyzing the data and acting on it. Instead of moving forward with a one-size-fits-all approach, educators should:
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Adjust their reading lessons based on comprehension types where students scored low.
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Form flexible reading groups to allow peer learning and focused instruction.
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Use the data in quarterly reviews to monitor progress and adjust teaching goals.
As emphasized by DepEd’s Bureau of Learning Delivery, using Phil-IRI data should be a continuous process, not a one-time event. This mindset turns assessment into action.
π« Field Insight: Empowering Literacy Through STCRR
Mrs. Ramos, a Grade 7 teacher in Nueva Ecija, shares that after her students took the Phil-IRI screening, she used the STCRR to isolate which skills needed reinforcement. She discovered that while her class excelled in literal recall, inferential thinking was weak across the board. With that, she shifted her strategy: integrating more “why” and “how” questions into class discussions.
Her class’s reading comprehension scores improved by the next quarter—not just on paper, but in how students engaged with texts. This is the difference the STCRR can make when used intentionally.