What are typical DRA levels in the AAP?

[Anonymous]

They do an advanced language arts curriculum in AAP. Caesers English for one. More writing. Longer writing requirements. Socratic Seminar. 5th grade debate. Etc. Etc.

However, DRA has nothing to do with any of this and is not a tool to challenge those who are advanced in reading. DRA is a tool to identify those who are behind and need extra help or remediation.

DRA has nothing to do with language arts in AAP.

[Anonymous]

So a kid can be in 6th grade buy reading at a 3rd grade level but still be in AAP if they comprehend an advanced (say a 10th grade level) book read TO them?

Interesting. I did not know that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are the DRA benchmarks different for the AAP classroom?

DRA is not related to AAP. DRA is not an intelligence test. There are children in AAP with reading levels all over the map.

I thought that the AAP students were ahead by a grade or two in language arts

There's nothing in this that says AAP students are a grade or two ahead in language arts:

Students found eligible for placement in a full-time Advanced Academic Program (Level IV) through a central selection process receive a highly challenging instructional program in the four core subject areas. The Level IV program is designed to meet the needs of advanced learners with a strong emphasis on higher level thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making. Students have ongoing opportunities for reflection and self-assessment that develop an understanding of the characteristics, demands, and responsibilities of advanced intellectual development. ( http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/continuum/es.shtml)

AAP students are not necessarily ahead in anything before third grade. When they finish third grade, they will be a year ahead in math, because they cover 3rd & 4th grade math in one year.

They are virtually indistinguishable from their GenEd counterparts. Nothing advanced or accelerated when it comes to language arts.

Bitter?

Am I "Bitter" that an advanced language arts curriculum isn't administered to an "advanced academic" class? Why, yes...yes I am bitter. Troll on!

Bitter person, you really will not get an accurate representation of what is considered advanced in AAP from reading comments on an anonymous forum where the majority of posters are those who feel passionate about AAP, one way or the other.
.and this question about DRA and how it ties to advanced language arts in AAP is a non issue, because as many postere have written, it doesn't tie in any way in the least.

The DRA ceiling is so low in lower elementary that there is not going to be much of a difference between smart kids in AAP and smart kids in gen ed. Not because there is no difference in their ability, but because the DRA ceiling is so low in the early grades that most smart kids, gifted or not, should easily be able to max out the DRA test in the lower grades.

The ceiling goes higher in the upper elementary grades. I think at one point my AAP kid was college level? Maybe upper 12th grade? I didn't keep track because unless your kid is behind like my youngest, the DRA level is just not very important at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They do an advanced language arts curriculum in AAP. Caesers English for one. More writing. Longer writing requirements. Socratic Seminar. 5th grade debate. Etc. Etc.

However, DRA has nothing to do with any of this and is not a tool to challenge those who are advanced in reading. DRA is a tool to identify those who are behind and need extra help or remediation.

DRA has nothing to do with language arts in AAP.

If a kid is reading at a grade level or two below...how is their writing going to be a grade level or two ahead?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So a kid can be in 6th grade buy reading at a 3rd grade level but still be in AAP if they comprehend an advanced (say a 10th grade level) book read TO them?

Interesting. I did not know that.

Yes, which surprised me since the program is called advanced ACADEMIC program. I don't know why there isn't more of an academic component to the screening process. If you are advanced academically by two or three years there should be a program for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So a kid can be in 6th grade buy reading at a 3rd grade level but still be in AAP if they comprehend an advanced (say a 10th grade level) book read TO them?

Interesting. I did not know that.

No. Unless they have some unusual documemted IEP worthy special needs that requires documented, special accomodations they will need to read to be in AAP.

Nice try at trolling a non issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are the DRA benchmarks different for the AAP classroom?

DRA is not related to AAP. DRA is not an intelligence test. There are children in AAP with reading levels all over the map.

I thought that the AAP students were ahead by a grade or two in language arts

Many of them might be, but they are not required to be. OP asked if the benchmarks are different. They're not.

OP's subject line and question are not aligned. In the subject line (s)he asked what's typical. In the question (s)he asked "are the benchmarks different"? Two different questions. But in either case, there are no specific "benchmarks" and there is no "typical" DRA for AAP students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is surprising. I would think that advanced reading comprehension and language ability would be pretty important in such a program.

You would think! But no, but no. There are no class reading lists because many kids that test into the program aren't even reading at grade level. Grammar isn't taught and is dismissed as an impediment to the flow of self expression. Oh, and forget about spelling...I mean, why bother learning and reinforcing how to spell words correctly when spell check will take care of that for you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So a kid can be in 6th grade buy reading at a 3rd grade level but still be in AAP if they comprehend an advanced (say a 10th grade level) book read TO them?

Interesting. I did not know that.

No. Unless they have some unusual documemted IEP worthy special needs that requires documented, special accomodations they will need to read to be in AAP.

Nice try at trolling a non issue.

I'm not the one who determines the eligibility for AAP, I was just reading this thread. People were saying that DRA has nothing to do with AAP and I was trying to understand how/why that would be the case.

[Anonymous]

My son started at age level, but after his first year in AAP he is advanced. He is reading books geared toward older children. He didn't even like to read before, but this teacher really encourages them and recommends specific books to each child based on their interests and she got him hooked. I'm truly amazed.

[Anonymous]

http://www.fcps.edu/pla/ost/index_test_scores.shtml

According to fcps, the purpose of DRA is to measure DECODING and reading comprehension. Not advanced reading skills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So a kid can be in 6th grade buy reading at a 3rd grade level but still be in AAP if they comprehend an advanced (say a 10th grade level) book read TO them?

Interesting. I did not know that.

No. Unless they have some unusual documemted IEP worthy special needs that requires documented, special accomodations they will need to read to be in AAP.

Nice try at trolling a non issue.

I'm not the one who determines the eligibility for AAP, I was just reading this thread. People were saying that DRA has nothing to do with AAP and I was trying to understand how/why that would be the case.

You do understand that fcps does all kinds of assessments on their students in elementary and most, like the DRA, have nothing whatsoever to do with AAP...don't you?

It is not a difficult concept to understand. Fcps only cares if the kids are on track for DRA level or behind. That is it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So a kid can be in 6th grade buy reading at a 3rd grade level but still be in AAP if they comprehend an advanced (say a 10th grade level) book read TO them?

Interesting. I did not know that.

No. Unless they have some unusual documemted IEP worthy special needs that requires documented, special accomodations they will need to read to be in AAP.

Nice try at trolling a non issue.

I'm not the one who determines the eligibility for AAP, I was just reading this thread. People were saying that DRA has nothing to do with AAP and I was trying to understand how/why that would be the case.

You do understand that fcps does all kinds of assessments on their students in elementary and most, like the DRA, have nothing whatsoever to do with AAP...don't you?

It is not a difficult concept to understand. Fcps only cares if the kids are on track for DRA level or behind. That is it.

No need to get persnickety. I would just think that decoding and comprehension would fall hand in hand with "advanced reading skills". A 3rd grader who comprehends 10th grade level text (not just decodes - but understands/comprehends the meaning) is not necessarily AAP? I don't really care but I find that to be...surprising.

[Anonymous]

You do understand that fcps does all kinds of assessments on their students in elementary and most, like the DRA, have nothing whatsoever to do with AAP...don't you? 

It is not a difficult concept to understand. Fcps only cares if the kids are on track for DRA level or behind. That is it.

I way this as a parent with two kids who maxed out the tests regularly (one AAP, one not) and a third who is below level or on the cusp

For the two ahead, their response was how nice. For my kid who is behind, they are very interested and make sure I know at every turn how important meeting DRA benchmarks is.

DRA is not important for kids who are advanced in readint.

[Anonymous]

I messed up the quote function so I am reposting.

I say this as a parent with two kids who maxed out the tests regularly (one AAP, one not) and a third who is below level or on the cusp 

For the two ahead, their response was how nice. For my kid who is behind, they are very interested and make sure I know at every turn how important meeting DRA benchmarks is. 

DRA is not important for kids who are advanced in reading. I don' think they ever mentioner it once in AAP.