DRA level vs Achievement Tests vs reading behavior

[Anonymous]

I'm posting in this forum since there are probably kids here who have taken Achievement Tests such as the Woodcock Johnson.
(I wonder if I should post in the Special needs as well? ). I didn't ask the teacher because she probably won't be able to tell me about the WJ test.

Can someone explain to me the difference between the DRA and other tests that measure reading skills?

If you have results of multiple tests, do they match up? And does your child's behavior match up with the results of the tests?

-My child has a DRA level of 40. He's in 3rd grade. A quick internet search says 40 is benchmark for 4th grade.
-His Woodcock Johnson III results state that he is reading at the middle of 6th grade level. (admininistered by a licensed psychologist)
-He is reading the 4th book of the Harry Potter series in his classroom- which is probably typical for a 3rd grader.

So, my question is- when the kids are tested for DRA, how are they tested? Is it like the SOL where you are tested at the grade level your are in, and maybe one step above? His last report card said that he was tested at his current level and the teacher did say that she will be testing him an higher level next. So does the DRA show reading ability beyond what is tested? Or is it tested at a grade level an if you pass it, you are at that level.

Just not sure what to make of his WJ test since it seems to be quite different from the DRA. Or are those things even related?

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

The DRA has a time component to it that sometimes trips up readers who are capable of reading at higher levels at a relatively slower pace. Teachers generally test at grade level and one level above. It takes time and testing all children in the class takes more time- so they won't have time to test beyond that- generally. They are looking for the kids that need extra help to access the grade level curriculum. The DRA level is usually the level of mastery- children frequently read above that level when they are reading for pleasure- that is one way to increase reading ability- to read slightly above one level (sort of like playing a better tennis player helps one become a better tennis player). Many kids carry around the HP books (or other popular books) but aren't really reading them- so it is hard to figure out what everyone else is actually reading.