(1) A fourth-grade student at the nearing proficiency reading level demonstrates partial mastery of prerequisite knowledge and skills fundamental for proficient reading. He/she:

(a) articulates the overall meaning of the reading material;

(b) uses a basic vocabulary to support content area reading material;

(c) recognizes, applies, and self-monitors strategies to decode and to comprehend at or near grade-level material;

(d) usually demonstrates an understanding of the elements of fiction and nonfiction;

(e) makes obvious connections between the reading material and personal experiences, and extends these ideas by making simple inferences;

(f) self-selects appropriate reading material to meet a specific purpose;

(g) sometimes recognizes the author's purpose;

(h) often defines a purpose for reading;

(i) inconsistently compares and integrates information between sources; and

(j) sometimes distinguishes fact from opinion.