In my school, we do not use a fluency norm for any grade level. I'd like to see the Hasbrouck and Tindal norms you refer to.
For the DRA in grades 4-8, I believe the WCPM is built into the overall student score. So, it's only one component of finding the total score/reading level. For the DRA in grades K-2, we do not count words per minute. But in the case that you discuss, where the fluency is poor but the comprehension and the accuracy is adequate, we do not bump the child down a level in general. I would suggest, working on comprehension at that level and higher in guided reading groups (since the DRA score provides an independent level rather than an instructional level) and when working on fluency, you may decide to work at a lower level with the child in order to get him/her to improve his or her fluency in an easier book. So, I guess I would agree with you that I would just make a note that the child needs further instruction on fluency. I don't necessarily think fluency is a deal-breaker. We are also working hard on broadening our perspectives on guided reading and not being so closed off to teaching lower level books for a specific purpose. Children, teachers and parents shouldn't be so concerned with the level. They should focus on the skill that the child needs and choose appropriate books for the child in order to master that skill or strategy. Kristin NJ the issue has come up as to how hard and fast you adhere to the "fluency" score when calculation the independent reading level. We count the WCPM and check them against Hasbrouck and Tindal's Fluency norms for each grade level. The question has come up that if a child has the accuracy rate and the comprehension, but the fluency is below the 50th percentile, would you not award that child that reading level? Or, would you just make note that the child needs further instruction in fluency? _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
