We used DIBELS for about 4 years with kindergarteners and first graders and realized very quickly it was not philosophically in line with our classroom teaching. We tried to ditch it quickly, but our Spec. Ed. Dept. thought it was a 'great' resource. (Probably because it was FREE!) Each entire grade level was assessed. We finally created our own assessment to give to kindergarteners and use something else for first graders. The results were used in conjunction with 3 or 4 other criteria to determine our basic skills students.
The biggest concern I had with the DIBELS is that those students who often scored the lowest in the decoding and comprehension area were, in fact, our strongest students. While they were using the skills we modeled in class to be reflective about text, the seconds were ticking away and their final scores were 'at risk'. We stopped giving them the reading section within a year of undertaking the DIBELS. It didn't accurately show us their decoding abilities or their comprehension. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kendra Carroll" <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, November 20, 2009 1:15:34 PM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central Subject: [MOSAIC] DIBELS Our system has just chosen to assess using DIBELS. For those of you who use it, which students are you assessing? Do you use a different method to assess comprehension, if so, what? Thanks for your input!! Kendra Carroll Elementary Teacher Coach Sandy Ridge Elementary School: Amostown Rd; Sandy Ridge, NC 27046 Phone: 336 871-2400 Fax 336 871-2025 Pine Hall Elementary School: 1400 Pine Hall Road; Pine Hall, North Carolina 27042 Phone: 336 427-3689 Fax: 336 427-4944 Germanton Elementary School: 6085 NC 8 Hwy S; Germanton, NC 27019 Phone: 336 591-4021, Fax: 336 591-7013 Email Disclaimer: Please be advised that the contents of this message and any reply may be subject to disclosure under North Carolina law. This communication is for use by the intended recipient and contains information that may be privileged, confidential, or copyrighted under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby formally notified that any use, copying, or distribution of this communication, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Please advise the sender immediately by reply e-mail and delete this message and any attachments without retaining a copy. This communication does not constitute consent to the use of sender's contact information for direct marketing purposes or for transfers of data to third parties. _______________________________________________ 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.
