Discrepancy between report card versus DIBELS (Kindergarten)?

[Anonymous]

We recently got the DIBELS results and my child's overall score was "needs some support". They scored especially low on "letter names" ("Naming letters from print - name both upper case and lower case letters"). But on the most recent report card it says my child is on level and can recognize and name 26 letters both upper case and lower case.

For context my child does well reading CVC words and some CCVC words right now when we can convince them to try. They do often write letters backwards and are sometimes unsure but getting better at recognizing b versus d and p versus q. Overall they seem to be able to recognize and name letters most of the time.

Wondering what to make of the discrepancy between the report card and DIBELS and if folks recommend any other resources besides BOB books (which we already have) to support our child's reading and writing skills. 

[Anonymous]

Don't worry they will be great reader with Really Great Reading

[Anonymous]

It’s kindergarten. Doesn’t matter.

[Anonymous]

Schedule a meeting to talk to the teacher. This discrepancy between test and report cards is one of parent’s biggest complaints. The problem stems for how each report things. Dibels score is based on where they believe kids should be at certain points in the year with specific phonics/reading skills. Whereas the report card “on level” takes a more holistic approach. So a kid needing some support in K and even this particular quarter is not necessarily below grade level. Especially considering there are kids who are way below that. So that makes things more confusing for parents.

Keep practicing the letters and reading this quarter. They should have mastered them all by then. Note that the b vs d and p vs q is very normal. Leapfrogs Letter Factory video everyday or every other day is really helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Schedule a meeting to talk to the teacher. This discrepancy between test and report cards is one of parent’s biggest complaints. The problem stems for how each report things. Dibels score is based on where they believe kids should be at certain points in the year with specific phonics/reading skills. Whereas the report card “on level” takes a more holistic approach. So a kid needing some support in K and even this particular quarter is not necessarily below grade level. Especially considering there are kids who are way below that. So that makes things more confusing for parents.

Keep practicing the letters and reading this quarter. They should have mastered them all by then. Note that the b vs d and p vs q is very normal. Leapfrogs Letter Factory video everyday or every other day is really helpful.

Word of the century in the largest school district in MD.

[Anonymous]

A child being on, below or above grade level is not dependent on just one assessment. They look at various assessments, classwork, and personal observations to come up with a level. So yes, Dibels says he is below in a specific area at the given time but what about the other assessments?

[Anonymous]

As an educator, I’d say that’s worth asking about. See if you can schedule a 15-minute call or conference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Schedule a meeting to talk to the teacher. This discrepancy between test and report cards is one of parent’s biggest complaints. The problem stems for how each report things. Dibels score is based on where they believe kids should be at certain points in the year with specific phonics/reading skills. Whereas the report card “on level” takes a more holistic approach. So a kid needing some support in K and even this particular quarter is not necessarily below grade level. Especially considering there are kids who are way below that. So that makes things more confusing for parents.

Keep practicing the letters and reading this quarter. They should have mastered them all by then. Note that the b vs d and p vs q is very normal. Leapfrogs Letter Factory video everyday or every other day is really helpful.

Word of the century in the largest school district in MD.

To be fair it’s not just them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Schedule a meeting to talk to the teacher. This discrepancy between test and report cards is one of parent’s biggest complaints. The problem stems for how each report things. Dibels score is based on where they believe kids should be at certain points in the year with specific phonics/reading skills. Whereas the report card “on level” takes a more holistic approach. So a kid needing some support in K and even this particular quarter is not necessarily below grade level. Especially considering there are kids who are way below that. So that makes things more confusing for parents.

Keep practicing the letters and reading this quarter. They should have mastered them all by then. Note that the b vs d and p vs q is very normal. Leapfrogs Letter Factory video everyday or every other day is really helpful.

Word of the century in the largest school district in MD.

To be fair it’s not just them.

I’d also add it’s not so much a discrepancy as a lack of understanding around multiple measures.

[Anonymous]

I would take them to a learning center to get an independent evaluation. Then I would get an orton gillingham tutor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Schedule a meeting to talk to the teacher. This discrepancy between test and report cards is one of parent’s biggest complaints. The problem stems for how each report things. Dibels score is based on where they believe kids should be at certain points in the year with specific phonics/reading skills. Whereas the report card “on level” takes a more holistic approach. So a kid needing some support in K and even this particular quarter is not necessarily below grade level. Especially considering there are kids who are way below that. So that makes things more confusing for parents.

Keep practicing the letters and reading this quarter. They should have mastered them all by then. Note that the b vs d and p vs q is very normal. Leapfrogs Letter Factory video everyday or every other day is really helpful.

Word of the century in the largest school district in MD.

To be fair it’s not just them.

I’d also add it’s not so much a discrepancy as a lack of understanding around multiple measures.

OP - I agree that I lack understanding around multiple measures. How do I gain this understanding? What is the difference between:
- DIBELS: "Naming letters from print, measured by DIBELS Letter Naming Fluency (LNF). Can your child name both uppercase and lowercase letters?"
- MCPS Report Card: "Letter Identification and Naming - Uppercase (out of 26) and Lowercase (out of 26)"?

What information was provided to parents that I missed to help me understand the differences between these two measures?

[Anonymous]

DIEBLS is administered (usually) by a teacher unfamiliar to your child and in an unfamiliar setting. It is timed and the scripted directions can be confusing. No shock young children don’t perform as well.

Your child’s teacher seems them every day and is grading them based on what they consistently see.

I would chalk this up to a bad “test” day and nothing more.

[Anonymous]

Op you should get an independent evaluation. Lots of discrepancies in mcps between children's test scores and report card grades. Unless your kid is the lowest in class, your concerns will be minimized

[Anonymous]

Thanks all, I will check with the teacher to see what she says.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DIEBLS is administered (usually) by a teacher unfamiliar to your child and in an unfamiliar setting. It is timed and the scripted directions can be confusing. No shock young children don’t perform as well.

Your child’s teacher seems them every day and is grading them based on what they consistently see.

I would chalk this up to a bad “test” day and nothing more.

At our school the teacher does it in the classroom.