This study was concerned with the validation of the "Hicks Cloze-Reading Test," an evaluative instrument to be used by the classroom teacher in assessing the reading ability levels of children. Three instruments, the Gates-MacGinitie Reading Test," the "Standard Reading Inventory," and the "Hicks Cloze-Reading Test," forms one and two, were administered to 494 students in two central Oklahoma communities. Data were obtained for 347 students in grades two through six. It was concluded that the "Hicks Cloze-Reading Test," based on an every tenth word deletion, can be used to identify the independent, instructional, and frustration reading levels of pupils in grades two through six. (Author/RB)