California Commission on Teacher
YDUTS ESAC • ACIR
RICA✦
✦
SUB 3
Credentialing
Reading Instruction Competence Assessment · Subtest 3 Case Study
CA CTC
ENSURING EXCELLENCE IN READING INSTRUCTION
RICA — Subtest 3: Case Study Examination
T R OY ( D E CO D I N G & S P E L L I N G ) · N ATA L I E ( I N F E R E N T I A L CO M P R E H E N S I O N & F I G U R AT I V E
LANGUAGE)
ORGANIZATION California Commission on Teacher EXAM TYPE Reading Instruction Competence
Credentialing (CTC) Assessment (RICA)
SUBTEST Subtest 3 — Case Study ACADEMIC YEAR
TOTAL QUESTIONS 25 Questions CASE STUDIES Troy (Strengths/Needs) · Natalie
(Strengths/Needs)
FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the Single Best
Answer
CASE STUDY EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question based on the RICA Subtest 3 case study framework.
▸ Troy's case focuses on decoding multisyllabic words, structural analysis (suffixes and root words), orthographic knowledge, and
spelling using Elkonin boxes.
▸ Natalie's case focuses on inferential comprehension, figurative language (puns, idioms, metaphors), and extending literal
comprehension to higher-level thinking.
▸ For each case study, identify strengths, weaknesses/needs, appropriate instructional activities, and the rationale for why each
activity is effective.
SECTION I — CASE STUDY ANALYSIS: TROY & NATALIE Questions 1 – 25
1. Case Study: Troy. What is one of Troy's strengths identified in the case study?
A. He excels at decoding multisyllabic words.
B. He enjoys reading books, mostly short, easy-to-read books about animals, and tends to comprehend books he likes.
C. He demonstrates strong inferential comprehension skills.
D. He has advanced orthographic knowledge and spelling skills.
CORRECT ANSWER B — He enjoys reading books, mostly short, easy-to-read books about animals, and tends to
comprehend books he likes.
RATIONALE TROY'S STRENGTHS: (1) Enjoys reading books — mostly short, easy-to-read books about animals. (2) Tends to
comprehend books he likes. (3) Strong at recognizing simple sight words. (4) Demonstrates literal
comprehension skills — but only on preferred topics. TROY'S WEAKNESSES: (1) Difficulty decoding
multisyllabic words. (2) Skips big words like marshland, continuously, region, and expedition. (3) Struggles to
break down multisyllabic words into syllables. (4) Difficulty with orthographic knowledge and spelling.
YDUTS ESAC • ACIR
RICA✦
✦
SUB 3
Credentialing
Reading Instruction Competence Assessment · Subtest 3 Case Study
CA CTC
ENSURING EXCELLENCE IN READING INSTRUCTION
RICA — Subtest 3: Case Study Examination
T R OY ( D E CO D I N G & S P E L L I N G ) · N ATA L I E ( I N F E R E N T I A L CO M P R E H E N S I O N & F I G U R AT I V E
LANGUAGE)
ORGANIZATION California Commission on Teacher EXAM TYPE Reading Instruction Competence
Credentialing (CTC) Assessment (RICA)
SUBTEST Subtest 3 — Case Study ACADEMIC YEAR
TOTAL QUESTIONS 25 Questions CASE STUDIES Troy (Strengths/Needs) · Natalie
(Strengths/Needs)
FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the Single Best
Answer
CASE STUDY EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question based on the RICA Subtest 3 case study framework.
▸ Troy's case focuses on decoding multisyllabic words, structural analysis (suffixes and root words), orthographic knowledge, and
spelling using Elkonin boxes.
▸ Natalie's case focuses on inferential comprehension, figurative language (puns, idioms, metaphors), and extending literal
comprehension to higher-level thinking.
▸ For each case study, identify strengths, weaknesses/needs, appropriate instructional activities, and the rationale for why each
activity is effective.
SECTION I — CASE STUDY ANALYSIS: TROY & NATALIE Questions 1 – 25
1. Case Study: Troy. What is one of Troy's strengths identified in the case study?
A. He excels at decoding multisyllabic words.
B. He enjoys reading books, mostly short, easy-to-read books about animals, and tends to comprehend books he likes.
C. He demonstrates strong inferential comprehension skills.
D. He has advanced orthographic knowledge and spelling skills.
CORRECT ANSWER B — He enjoys reading books, mostly short, easy-to-read books about animals, and tends to
comprehend books he likes.
RATIONALE TROY'S STRENGTHS: (1) Enjoys reading books — mostly short, easy-to-read books about animals. (2) Tends to
comprehend books he likes. (3) Strong at recognizing simple sight words. (4) Demonstrates literal
comprehension skills — but only on preferred topics. TROY'S WEAKNESSES: (1) Difficulty decoding
multisyllabic words. (2) Skips big words like marshland, continuously, region, and expedition. (3) Struggles to
break down multisyllabic words into syllables. (4) Difficulty with orthographic knowledge and spelling.
