The Bader Reading and Language Inventory was constructed for use by teachers for K-12 and adult students, reading specialists, and clinicians. The design of this inventory allows examiners the flexibility to obtain information for measuring a reader's growth, assessing the effectiveness of specific reading approaches, and diagnosing specific literacy needs. As experienced teachers look for patterns of behavior to observe learner's strengths and needs. This can be accomplished with an assessment model that includes personal interviews and student reflection, observations, informal and formal tests and diagnostic teaching. The Bader inventory provides several valuable, research-based tools and guides to complement this assessment model balancing assessment practice without overtesting students.