Do students normally only change levels at the end of a year?

Absolutely, your students change levels at the end or start of the year and your students should ideally remain in their assigned reading level for the year. However, after completing their five Pretests, if you feel like any of your students are really struggling in their strategies, you may reassign them to a lower level. If your students are excelling, we do not recommend moving them up manually as this program is not about stretching them but more about students being comfortable in what they are reading.