DRA Test scores
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Anonymous
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DRA Word Analysis is included in the second edition of DRA (aka DRA2) K-3, according to the publisher's web site. So I don't think DRA2 is used "instead of" DRA WA...?
-ProudParent |
Anonymous
| I'm still confused. Yes, the schools are using the DRA2 instead of the DRA 1. I would like to understand whether the schools will give the DRA 2 which is more of a reading test and is based on reading levels (1-16 seems to be the levels up to 1st grade) verses the DRA2 Word Anaysis (which has a perfect score of 193) at the end of the kindergarten year if the child got a high score on the DRA2 Word Analysis in the fall. My understanding is that the DRA2 Word Analysis, even in the spring, is very basic and will tell both the parents and the 1st grade teacher little about what level of reading the child is at. |
Anonymous
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I think the answer is: It varies.
My older child scored a 193 at the end of kinderg. Nothing more was said about the DRA (the first grade version). They did test her at the beginning of first grade and told me about it at the conference. Fast forward 2 years. Younger child has the SAME teacher at the same school. His teacher gave him the regular DRA after doing the DRA word analysis b/c he scored pretty high on the word analysis (this fall). So I imagine that this spring younger child will also be given the DRA word analysis and the reg. DRA. But that was not done for older child two years ago. |
Anonymous
| I guess then that I feel FCPS should make some type of determination which tests it will give verses it varying between schools and have all schools follow this. My child scored perfectly this fall, but only was given the DRA2 Word Analysis. No DRA2 test was given. I would at least like all schools to give children who score in the 190's or some upper level benchmark on the DRA2 Word Analysis the DRA2 test in the spring if certain schools are already doing this. It makes no sense for them to give the DRA2 Word Analysis a second time and is unfair if a different test is being admistered in other schools. I would basically have to wait until November again before the 1st grade teacher would know what level my child most correctly tests at in reading. |
Anonymous
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Mother of an older kid here. I don't quite understand what your obsession with the DRA scores is. Read with your child and you will have a great idea of where your child is. You can always look up the books on line to figure out their DRA level if you must know. Then take a discount on that because they always test lower than what they are actually reading. That is partially because the DRA measures other things than mere decoding. For example, if your child uses "he" or "she" when retelling the story instead of the character's name, the score is lowered.
It seems that the parents most concerned about the specific level here are the ones whose kids are above grade level. I'm sure you already know your kids is above grade level by the books s/he is reading. Why do you need to know the specific level? What difference does it make? |
Anonymous
Fabulous post. Our DC's 2nd grade teacher told us today she no longer increases the DRA level of the books as DC's reading group is all above grade level (DRA 34). Instead she will be moving from one genre to another (historical fiction, mysteries, non-fiction, etc.) all at the same DRA level, so the students can do more synthesis work, comparison of descriptive passages, etc. |
Anonymous
| Perhaps in the upper years, it is not an issue, but I've had to wait till November for my child to even start reading books in the public school kindergarten program even though my child had been reading for 2 years. I really don't want to wait until this time next year for him to read anything on level just because the school isn't willing to test my child at the appropriate level or anywhere close to it during the kindergarten year. It has nothing to do with a certain score. I could care less about the score and am more interested in what the class days are like. As was stated earlier, if the test isn't going to measure anything useful, why have it? That said, I would hope that the schools would have a better measuring system with the results transferred up from grade to grade. The typical report card does not do this. There is nothing wrong with wanting your children to do something productive during class time. Believe it or not, children outside of this area are often getting better lower grade elementary teaching than in Fairfax County because there isn't all this backlash against parents who spend time helping their children learn and they don't have to deal with as many children who come unprepared to start kindergarten. |
Anonymous
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19:35 here. PP, just because they don't keep going on the DRA doesn't mean they don't have any idea of your child's reading level. They likely read regularly with your child (at least they do with my first grader). Your child didn't get to start reading books until November because the DRA is so time consuming and it takes that long to assess every kid -- that's why they don't test to the max. It just takes too long and they already know your child is above grade level and will be in the highest group. If they kept on testing, they would be there forever because your child is not the only one at that level -- especially in some schools.
If you have concerns about your child's reading instruction, I would schedule a meeting with your child's teacher and the reading specialist to make sure your child is getting appropriate reading level instruction. If your child has been reading for 2 years, s/he is likely in the highest level group and among other similar readers (there are usually a small group at that level in every class). Also, keep in mind that your child already knows how to read, so s/he is likely focusing on comprehension and vocabulary building. Comprehension can be worked on with lower level books. I would ask the teacher what they are doing to accommodate your child. If you're not happy with that, go to the AART and even the principal. Honestly, it's not about DRA scores. It's about the actual instruction. To be honest, PP, I was sympathetic to you until I read your last sentence. Just because your child happens to be an early reader, that does not mean other people don't work with their children and their children are "unprepared" for kindergarten. Children learn at different paces. Reading 2 years before kindergarten (if that's true) is not normal. It's advanced. It's unfair of you to judge other children (and their parents) against that standard. Be careful, your attitude will likely turn off the teacher and the administration. |
Anonymous
While I can agree with your sentiment, the real purpose of the test and public school in general (from my few years experience with FCPS) is to make sure your child meets the MINIMUM benchmarks. They are not primarily interested in making sure your child is reaching his/her potential or being challenged. They use the tests to find out who is not meeting expectations so that they can give extra attention to them. Even though the attention is mainly on determining who meets the benchmark and who doesn't, and even though your child's teacher may not be focussed on expanding the abilities of the highest group of kids, it doesn't mean your child is doomed. There is a lot of concern in this area about the damage caused by children being bored.... I don't really buy into that philosophy. Smart kids or fast learners need to learn to deal with the rest of the world. If they are going to be exceptional in the long run, it's in their dna to be exceptional. They will always be curious, creative and driven to learn. You are going to be disappointed with public school if you expect the teachers to really take an in depth interest in your benchmark-satisfying child. In my limited experience, they appreciate the above-average students, but they give them less attention b/c they are focussing on the ones who lag behind. In first and second grade the above-average kids spend a lot of time self-entertaining b/c the small group attention goes to the below average kids. I take public school for what it offers and I add to it outside of school. If you really want personalized attention for an above-average kid, you need to look at private. Otherwise, stick with public and do your own reading practice at home. Same with math. |
Anonymous
What states/school districts are you referring to? Our family has attended 6 different elementary schools in 4 different states. Fairfax County is unsurpassed in preparing its children to be exceptional learners. There are far fewer unprepared students in this area, particularly when you compare it to similar sized cities/demographics. If there is any backlash it is against parents who want to one-up each other by using their kids' test scores as a measure of who is the better parent. |
Anonymous
| I know of three different school systems that have types of giften programs for kindgergarteners. They also had more help available to their middle level children. Not that a GT program is needed, but it is nice for parents to know that their children are challenged. Personally I wish all the labels and grades could be done away with while still encouraging children to do well, but I would still like my child challenged and not have the curriculum dumbed down or just not available because there wasn't a proper assessment. All I was asking is that the schools use a different reading assessment test in the spring for children who ace the test in the fall. It doesn't make sense for them to retake it and it tells the next year's teacher nothing new. |
Anonymous
If you feel your Kindergarten student is not challenged, then I suggest you follow the advice of the PP who recommended a meeting with the teacher and the AART at your school. Go all the way up to the principal and perhaps the cluster superintendent if you feel it is necessary. You do have options. |
Anonymous
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21:35 --I know of at least 2 different school system as well that have gifted programs for kindergarteners. I'm curious as who else finds this YOUNG AGE differentiation problematic? There is a reason that Fairfax County AAP program does not start to 3rd grade. In Denmark, the entire county does not start differentiation at all until the age of 10. Has anyone else read Outliers? I found it really interesting and made me rethink differentiation at really young ages.
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Anonymous
| I never said my kindergartener was not challenged and I don't feel that a GT program is necessary at the kindergarten level at least not an extensive one. I only ask that in the spring they administer a reading test to children who obviously know how to read rather than using the word analysis test again which just tells whether children know their letter sounds and simple things like that. Arlington and Montgomery Counties use the DRA2 test in the spring. I don't think it would be a big deal for Fairfax County to do this as well. |
Anonymous
If you are suggesting a change in assessments for all Kindergarten students in FCPS, you may wish to contact Instructional Services with your critique. http://www.fcps.edu/is/index.shtml In particular, you may wish to start with the Elementary Language Arts Coordinator: http://www.fcps.edu/is/languagearts/elementary/index.shtml Pat Fege Language Arts Coordinator pafege@fcps.edu 571-423-4725 |