We are finding more alignment between the DRA2 (as opposed to the earlier version) and other measures. Success with the DRA2 is more of an indicator of success with the big ugly (standardized test). Many are using the Rigby (which we purchased years ago, so it is probably an outdated version) when they feel the need to monitor between the DRA2 assessment windows. Most just relay on running records and conference notes, though.
Lori On 10/21/08 5:04 AM, "KENNETH SMITH" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Which kit you choose depends on the purpose for the assessment. If you are > looking for information to guide teachers in instruction, then the DRA2 would > be a good choice. If you are just looking to find out what level kids are, the > Rigby would be faster and easier to administer. The original DRA does have a > lot of gray areas, but the newer version has cleared up a lot of those. The > DRA2 is heavy on written response, so kids need to be taught hot to take the > assessment, but it does give lots of great information and the rubric makes it > easy to score. I think the F&P kit is very similar, but I also recall that it > was substantially more expensive. The DRA2 kit for K-3 also includes a Word > Analysis assessment to use with kids who are struggling. It gives a lot of > good info, but is somewhat time consuming to give. You only give it (and only > portions of it) to kids below certain levels on the DRA2 (and the manual has a > chart to follow for that). In my district, the reading specialists put > together a DRA2 handbook setting some specific guidelines for administering > and scoring. This has helped to eliminate the "gray" areas. We also do > fidelity checks and every teacher has to be observed giving a DRA2 at least > once a year. There are still questions from year to year about the validity of > the levels given by the previous year's teacher, but I just re-emphasize tha > the purpose of the DRA is to drive instruction, not to report a reading level > and the levels are not concrete. There is a form included in the masters that > allows teachers to list students, then, using the rubric, indicate weaknesses. > Teachers then use that (and not just reading levels) to group students for > guided reading. This lets them be very specific and targeted in their > instruction of skills. We don't tell parents the level, we have developed our > own reporting system for parents to report either above grade level, on grade > level, or below grade level. The above grade level criteria is very tough to > meet and only a few students will be in that area. We do the DRA2 twice a year > and use the Rigby or A-Z benchmark assessment for middle of the year (2nd and > 3rd quarter). You might want to look at the A-Z assessment. It is available > online through the reading a-z website. It would be the least expensive > option. A single membership is only about $75 and one person in the school can > download all the books, the assessments, and lots of other materials. > > Hope that helps. > Debbie > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Kathy Garzon" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: [email protected] > Sent: Monday, October 20, 2008 6:36:37 AM (GMT-0600) America/Chicago > Subject: [MOSAIC] reading assessment > > I live in the middle east and teach in Kuwait at an american school. We have > a reading resource teacher for each grade 2-5 and two resource teachers for > grade 1. We have been looking to get one reading assessment for all of the > resource teachers. > We are focusing on the Riby benchmark or the DRA primary and intermediate > kits. Does anyone have any input to help us make a decision. > Thanks > Kahty > _______________________________________________ > 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. > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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. > -- Lori Jackson District Literacy Coach & Mentor Todd County School District Box 87 Mission SD 57555 http:www.tcsdk12.org ph. 605.856.2211 Literacies for All Summer Institute July 17-20. 2008 Tucson, Arizona _______________________________________________ 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.
