The screening section of the TPRI is intended to help teachers quickly identify students who have developed important reading concepts. It is important to realize the limitations of any assessment that attempts to identify more able students. Some students may not do well on the screening items, yet have no trouble progressing through a program of reading instruction. Other students may do well on the screening tasks, yet have difficulty learning to read. The TPRI screens are designed to minimize misidentification, but it is important to remember that no instrument is infallible. It is for this reason that judgments about appropriate student instruction and progress be made solely on the information derived from the TPRI. Rather, appropriate student reading instruction should be based on teacher observation, student work, and knowledge of the student. The TPRI is designed to supplement and facilitate teacher judgments, not replace them. The screening portion of the TPRI is not a placement instrument, nor is it intended to replace the need for further evaluation of students who may need special student services. The performance of students on the screening sections of the TPRI signals teachers to focus on the specific instructional needs of their students. It may also signal additional data that might need to be gathered.

The inventory section of the TPRI gives teachers an opportunity to acquire more data to help match reading instruction with specific student needs. This additional information can assist teachers and administrators to assemble educational resources and plan the most effective instruction possible for students. It is recommended that the inventory be administered with all the students whose performance on the screening section indicates important reading concepts are still developing. The listening and/or reading comprehension tasks in the inventory should be administered to all students. The inventory can be administered with all students regardless of their performance on the screening section depending upon the time and resources available to the classroom teacher.