Reading groups

[Anonymous]

Is it inappropriate to ask the teacher how the reading groups were formed when I know they haven’t done reading testing or MAP-R yet? I don’t want to come across as someone who is demanding a change but would like to know as my DC is not with the same kids he was with at the end of school in previous grade. So not sure what happened.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t question the groups, but I think it’s give to ask how your child is doing aim reading and if the teacher has any home suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it inappropriate to ask the teacher how the reading groups were formed when I know they haven’t done reading testing or MAP-R yet? I don’t want to come across as someone who is demanding a change but would like to know as my DC is not with the same kids he was with at the end of school in previous grade. So not sure what happened.

It’s normal for reading groups. Reading groups that don’t are a red flag.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it inappropriate to ask the teacher how the reading groups were formed when I know they haven’t done reading testing or MAP-R yet? I don’t want to come across as someone who is demanding a change but would like to know as my DC is not with the same kids he was with at the end of school in previous grade. So not sure what happened.

It’s normal for reading groups. Reading groups that don’t are a red flag.

Dont what?

[Anonymous]

Are the same kids in the same class as last year? With a different mix of kids there might be a better fit (higher or lower)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it inappropriate to ask the teacher how the reading groups were formed when I know they haven’t done reading testing or MAP-R yet? I don’t want to come across as someone who is demanding a change but would like to know as my DC is not with the same kids he was with at the end of school in previous grade. So not sure what happened.

probably based on last year's spring assessment I know it's not ideal for a lot of kids who actually read over the summer

[Anonymous]

Primary grades may have done DIBELs testing, or it's just a very rough estimate at this point. When real data becomes available, soon, they will be sorted out properly.

[Anonymous]

I'd stay out of it for now. See what your kid is reading and determine for yourself if they are in the right group and then say something, if necessary. School just started! They are still sorting things out. And FWIW, my DCs' teachers both said that Reading Groups will be extremely fluid this year with lots of changes expected. Not sure if that is a school thing or an MCPS thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd stay out of it for now. See what your kid is reading and determine for yourself if they are in the right group and then say something, if necessary. School just started! They are still sorting things out. And FWIW, my DCs' teachers both said that Reading Groups will be extremely fluid this year with lots of changes expected. Not sure if that is a school thing or an MCPS thing.

Thanks! This is helpful

[Anonymous]

Our teacher formed them based on some of her stereotypes of who is a smart kid and who isn't. It took her about a month to put them into groups that actually match their abilities.

It was annoying because my child had been in the highest group all the previous years and testing showed he belonged in the highest group again that year.

[Anonymous]

Reading groups mean very little at this age unless your child is actually struggling to read and needs a group that supports and challenges at just the right level. If your child can read on his own fine just let him read more challenging stuff at home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Primary grades may have done DIBELs testing, or it's just a very rough estimate at this point. When real data becomes available, soon, they will be sorted out properly.

This. Our DIBELS window ends in two weeks. We have temporary groups now.

[Anonymous]

Reading groups are skill based this year, not reading level. MAP was never the best measure of that anyways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd stay out of it for now. See what your kid is reading and determine for yourself if they are in the right group and then say something, if necessary. School just started! They are still sorting things out. And FWIW, my DCs' teachers both said that Reading Groups will be extremely fluid this year with lots of changes expected. Not sure if that is a school thing or an MCPS thing.

School didn't just start... It's time to get to work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our teacher formed them based on some of her stereotypes of who is a smart kid and who isn't. It took her about a month to put them into groups that actually match their abilities.

It was annoying because my child had been in the highest group all the previous years and testing showed he belonged in the highest group again that year.

We had a teacher who just assigned the kids based on what the K teacher had said at the end of the previous year. The problem was DC got into reading heavy over the summer, and their progress was ignored. I later had them assessed at UMD and turns out they were reading 6 levels higher. I sent the paperwork to the teacher but they said it was wrong. A different teacher assessed DC at the end of the year turns out they were reading 12 levels over their group.