DRA Test scores

Anonymous
DRA
Anonymous
24 but no idea what it is or means
Anonymous
Just received a letter from fcps that my second grader scored a dra of 40 during end of the year testing and a list of appropriate books for her to read over the summer.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I think my 2nd grader had a 30 DRA at end of year. But, when I questioned it, the teacher explained that they don't test beyond that. So 30 was the highest he could have gotten on the test as they give it. Even though his "actual" score could have been higher.


We had a similar issue this year (at the end of 1st grade). The teacher said she could not go higher than 30. (This is in FCPS.)
Anonymous
They are not supposed to go beyond the end of the next grade level. So for first they don't want to test beyond 28, but for second they could go to 40 (which is the end of 3rd grade).
Anonymous
Our DD's teacher said by the end of the second grade they could only go upto 38, We are FCPs.. Is 40 allowed for second graders..?
Anonymous
What are the maximum DRA scores for each of the grade levels in FCPS?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Our DD's teacher said by the end of the second grade they could only go upto 38, We are FCPs.. Is 40 allowed for second graders..?


Same here - FCPS and were told 2nd graders top out at 38.
Anonymous
15:46 here. Yes, my DC was at a 38 also, but teacher said 40 was the max. That's all I know.
Anonymous
my son got 40 at the end of 2nd grade. I was told that 40 is the maximum they test.
Anonymous


Wow - you "DC" parents sure know how to brag. The DRA is one tool that teachers/school districts use in order to determine where a child's reading instruction should be. Notice how I said ONE tool. A teacher would like a first grader to be at a level 16 at the end of the year. Second grade - a 28. A third grader would be on target if they left 3rd grade with a 38.

Now....a student may be able to decode at a higher level and yet when it comes to comprehending or preparing a cohesive well-written response they not be able to achieve adequately at that level. It's not always about that level your brilliant little tyke can decode but can respond in all aspects of literacy!

The DRA is a time consuming process which has to take place within the school day. Pearson the company who publishes this test suggests a cap on testing so that you aren't spending 2 hours testing one child just to see how far they can decode words. If a teacher did that will all your little angels - no teaching would go on. And again, a teacher is constantly assessing a student with other assessments or just anecdotal observations. Your little first grade darling may be able to decode a text at a 4th grade level but is so immature or hates to write etc. Stop second guessing the teachers and thinking your kids are being underserved and start thinking about your kids wholistically. Yikes.
Anonymous
My Kindergartener was listed at a DRA 10. I was told that's fine. It's just one tool used to evaluate students so teachers can determine where they need help/where they excel.
Anonymous
Thank you, 20:08! Let's enjoy the summer now.
Anonymous
OK, summer's over.

The DRA2 score is a compilation of many different factors (scores). So behind even a good DRA2 score, there might still be some weak areas that a parent might or might not want to know about. These areas of strengths and weaknesses are passed back to the teacher. But if a parent wants to see them, they need to make a request to the school's reading specialist to see them and have them explained. (My local reading specialist does a thorough job of this.) The scoring summary pages - like the "Focus for Instruction" page - are available for you to take home if you request it. You can view the rest of the test at the school, but can't take it home where you might be tempted, I suppose, to make the test's contents public. (The DRA2 doesn't change each year like the SOL.)

-ProudParent
Anonymous
Can you name what school or school district tests children with the DRA2 instead of the DRA word analysis? A score of 10 indicates the DRA2 was used.
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