The Inference Strategy helps older students make inferences about information they have read and answer inferential questions. Students learn to identify key words in questions or invent their own questions to help them search for important information as they read a passage, determine what type of question they need to answer, think about what they already know about a topic, find clues in the reading passage that will help them answer the questions, look for additional information, and answer the question.

In field tests, students who learned the Inference Strategy earned scores on a standardized reading comprehension test that were on average three grade levels higher after instruction than before.

Please note that professional development, coaching, and infrastructure support are essential components to effective implementation of SIM instructional tools and interventions. It is highly recommended that you work with a SIM professional developer. Please email simpd@ku.edu to learn more.

Learn more: Inference Strategy FAQs

Research on the Inference Strategy

Author(s): Nanette S. Fritschmann, Jean B. Schumaker, and Donald D. Deshler

Publication Info: Edge Enterprises, 2007