Early elementary school reading levels

[Anonymous]

In MCPS, the letter levels also correspond to the numbers (about two number levels per letter). My dd just finished kindergarten and is reading at 15/16 (I level, I believe). We are told she is reading at the level for the end of first grade. I was told by the school's reading teacher that the kids may read at one level, but they will not be considered at that level officially for reading unless they can actually write at that level as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In MCPS, the letter levels also correspond to the numbers (about two number levels per letter). My dd just finished kindergarten and is reading at 15/16 (I level, I believe). We are told she is reading at the level for the end of first grade. I was told by the school's reading teacher that the kids may read at one level, but they will not be considered at that level officially for reading unless they can actually write at that level as well.

This was our experience exactly. Our DC's reading was so far ahead of his writing (both the mechanical ability and the ability to infer meaning into what he was reading ... he had no problem with understanding the explicit text, but inferences were challenging), we felt that they ought to spend the time that would have been devoted to teaching him to read to help him make up the deficit in his writing. The school, on the other hand, felt that his writing ability was age and grade appropriate, so they were not going to push it. The result was that he was "stuck" for a year and a half reading books below his level until his writing eventually caught up. He entered K at a level 16 and was still pegged at a level 16 midway through 1st grade, although the teacher acknowledged that he could easily read a level P book. I think the experience was demotivating for him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In MCPS, the letter levels also correspond to the numbers (about two number levels per letter). My dd just finished kindergarten and is reading at 15/16 (I level, I believe). We are told she is reading at the level for the end of first grade. I was told by the school's reading teacher that the kids may read at one level, but they will not be considered at that level officially for reading unless they can actually write at that level as well.

This was our experience exactly. Our DC's reading was so far ahead of his writing (both the mechanical ability and the ability to infer meaning into what he was reading ... he had no problem with understanding the explicit text, but inferences were challenging), we felt that they ought to spend the time that would have been devoted to teaching him to read to help him make up the deficit in his writing. The school, on the other hand, felt that his writing ability was age and grade appropriate, so they were not going to push it. The result was that he was "stuck" for a year and a half reading books below his level until his writing eventually caught up. He entered K at a level 16 and was still pegged at a level 16 midway through 1st grade, although the teacher acknowledged that he could easily read a level P book. I think the experience was demotivating for him.

Interesting, we had a similar experience. I'm just glad it's summertime so DC has more time to read what she wants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In MCPS, the letter levels also correspond to the numbers (about two number levels per letter). My dd just finished kindergarten and is reading at 15/16 (I level, I believe). We are told she is reading at the level for the end of first grade. I was told by the school's reading teacher that the kids may read at one level, but they will not be considered at that level officially for reading unless they can actually write at that level as well.

This was our experience exactly. Our DC's reading was so far ahead of his writing (both the mechanical ability and the ability to infer meaning into what he was reading ... he had no problem with understanding the explicit text, but inferences were challenging), we felt that they ought to spend the time that would have been devoted to teaching him to read to help him make up the deficit in his writing. The school, on the other hand, felt that his writing ability was age and grade appropriate, so they were not going to push it. The result was that he was "stuck" for a year and a half reading books below his level until his writing eventually caught up. He entered K at a level 16 and was still pegged at a level 16 midway through 1st grade, although the teacher acknowledged that he could easily read a level P book. I think the experience was demotivating for him. [/quote

Wow, I could have wrote that. Almost exact same issue here with my DS.

[Anonymous]

Interesting that the last three PP K and 1st graders can read, write and comprehend a level P, which is a 4th grade level. Hell I was impressed that my 2nd grader hit level P at the end of 2nd grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting that the last three PP K and 1st graders can read, write and comprehend a level P, which is a 4th grade level. Hell I was impressed that my 2nd grader hit level P at the end of 2nd grade.

They can read at that level but cannot write at that level .... that was the whole point of the post if you read it. It is fairly common that kids can read well ahead of where they can write ... especially boys.

[Anonymous]

We aren't in Mont. Co but my rising first grader can read at a 5th grade level but his writing is typical kindergarten. Thankfully his school groups by ability for first grade so he will be with a few other high readers next year. This summer, we will be working on his writing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting that the last three PP K and 1st graders can read, write and comprehend a level P, which is a 4th grade level. Hell I was impressed that my 2nd grader hit level P at the end of 2nd grade.

They can read at that level but cannot write at that level .... that was the whole point of the post if you read it. It is fairly common that kids can read well ahead of where they can write ... especially boys.

Why the snark? I read the whole post and only saw two postings that mentioned writing. My son's school wouldn't move him to the next reading level until he was writing and comprehending on that same level. Maybe that is not the same for all schools.

[Anonymous]

Those who are speaking about whole numbers (i.e. reading level 8, 16, even 40) are referring to the DRA reading level which includes a component of comprehension.

Those who are seeing levels that look like a whole number plus a decimal are looking at books that are designated by grade level -- so a "2.2" means early second grade level. These are used by publishers, not teachers.

Those who are looking at letters (i.e. F, G, K, Q, P, etc.) are looking at the guided reading level of the book (similar to the grade level designation above). It shows the difficulty of the book.

At the end of first grade and second grade, the teacher will assess the child and the child will recieve a DRA score. The benchmark for first grade is 16. Some children will be much higher, but 16 is where the child should be at the end of first grade. For second grade, the benchmark may be 28-30.