I think that the main problem is the test itself but that's another story that I could fill books with my gripes about it. This year the Reading test was re-normed (well actually last year's tests also but we didn't receive those results until January of this year). We had students who scored in the 69th percentile still made a Level 2 (Level 3 is considered Grade Level with Level 4 being the highest). According to our Gateways, a student with a Level 2 at the end of third and fifth grade are automatically retained unless the parents go through the appeals process, which usually lets most Level 2's go on to the next grade if grades, attendence, other testing data is in place to support the decision. We had academically-gifted students (for math) who didn't pass the test. So, of course "the problem is 2nd grade and the assessments" and "we aren't teaching them to read" etc... I won't even take up everyone's time with that one.
Kate in NC "What children can do together today, they can do alone tomorrow." - Lev Vygotsky ________________________________________ From: Kristin Mitchell [[email protected]] Sent: Friday, April 03, 2009 6:03 PM To: Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Email Group Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] DRA That's interesting you say that. My county in Colorado found a strong correlation between how our kiddos tested on our state test and how they tested on the DRA2 in grade 3. (unlike the lack of a correlation they found with Dibles) Kristin Mitchell/4th/CO "Be the change you want to see in the world" -Ghandi ________________________________ From: Kathleen B. Linker <[email protected]> Sandy, We are actually phasing out DRAs for the same reasons that you mentioned plus the fact that there isn't a correlation between the DRA levels for students when they leave 2nd grade and when they take our state's standardized test in 3rd grade. ********************************************************************************************** IMPORTANT: In compliance with federal law, the Rowan-Salisbury School System administers all educational programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination because of race, religion, national or ethnic origin, color, age, military service, disability, or gender, except where exemption is appropriate and allowed by law. The contents of this email and any attachments are confidential. They are intended for the named recipient(s) only. If you have received this email in error, please notify the system manager or the sender immediately and do not disclose the contents to anyone or make copies thereof. *** eSafe scanned this email for viruses, vandals, and malicious content. *** ********************************************************************************************** _______________________________________________ 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.
