What are typical DRA levels in the AAP?

[Anonymous]

End of 2nd grade DRA 34 and yes it is fiction and non fiction and answers have to be written down.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know the difference between the fiction and non-fiction versions? DC took the non-fiction level 70 version, 6th grade AAP. Does that mean DC already took the fiction version or still has it to take if DRA is even given in Middle School? TIA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How high does FCPS test beyond grade level?

In first or second grade, they will test up to one year ahead.

No, starting in kindergarten they will test up to a year ahead.

Depends on the school. Our school only tests up to benchmark. http://www.fcps.edu/pla/ost/test_scores/dra/dra2013.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How high does FCPS test beyond grade level?

In first or second grade, they will test up to one year ahead.

No, starting in kindergarten they will test up to a year ahead.

And there is no means of knowing how much improvement there was for kids coming in at the benchmark.

My son tested at the top benchmark at the beginning of first grade. An avid reader, I'm guessing he is at an advanced 3rd grade level by now. He just got tested (he told me) a couple of weeks ago. It seems the teacher made him read only one little story and then tell it back. He said it was a "baby" book. Then the teacher said that's it, great job. She didn't test him further, so I'm guessing they tested him at the same benchmark he was tested at the beginning of the year.

That can't be the correct interpretation or relaying of the story. To pass that benchmark the child needs to pass both the fiction and nonfiction parts of the DRA and if he was already at the second grade level, that is all written. If he is still orally "retelling," that is not through second grade.

Nope, the first time my oldest wrote on a DRA was in 3rd grade. They will administer orally for all first and second graders no matter how advanced.

Hello,


I'm the PP, and forgot to say she went to a Montessori preschool so she was reading magic treehouse books in kinder.

That is incorrect. Both my kids who maxed out at the end of the third grade DRA level 28 while in second grade, used writing as the assessment. I'm also a former first grade teacher in the county.

I'm not a teacher but I can tell you my child has yet to take a written DRA and is an extremely advanced reader. My DC is in 3rd grade AAP and has maxed all DRAs she's taken since she started in FCPSs. She's been reading since very very young. She loves to read and is a math whiz but a terrible writer, it is a struggle to get her to write one sentence. Her wonderful teachers have administered all DRAs orally, nothing written. Her writing is like a kindergartner. She doesn't have a disability, she just isn't there yet developmentally. Her teachers have never worried, they tell me it will come and that she is doing amazing. Her 3rd grade teacher even asks her for oral answers for written test sections because her written answers are so poor. Her oral answers are thorough. So maybe it depends on the school and the teacher that knows her student's capabilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How high does FCPS test beyond grade level?

In first or second grade, they will test up to one year ahead.

No, starting in kindergarten they will test up to a year ahead.

And there is no means of knowing how much improvement there was for kids coming in at the benchmark.

My son tested at the top benchmark at the beginning of first grade. An avid reader, I'm guessing he is at an advanced 3rd grade level by now. He just got tested (he told me) a couple of weeks ago. It seems the teacher made him read only one little story and then tell it back. He said it was a "baby" book. Then the teacher said that's it, great job. She didn't test him further, so I'm guessing they tested him at the same benchmark he was tested at the beginning of the year.

That can't be the correct interpretation or relaying of the story. To pass that benchmark the child needs to pass both the fiction and nonfiction parts of the DRA and if he was already at the second grade level, that is all written. If he is still orally "retelling," that is not through second grade.

Nope, the first time my oldest wrote on a DRA was in 3rd grade. They will administer orally for all first and second graders no matter how advanced.

Hello,


I'm the PP, and forgot to say she went to a Montessori preschool so she was reading magic treehouse books in kinder.

That is incorrect. Both my kids who maxed out at the end of the third grade DRA level 28 while in second grade, used writing as the assessment. I'm also a former first grade teacher in the county.

I'm not a teacher but I can tell you my child has yet to take a written DRA and is an extremely advanced reader. My DC is in 3rd grade AAP and has maxed all DRAs she's taken since she started in FCPSs. She's been reading since very very young. She loves to read and is a math whiz but a terrible writer, it is a struggle to get her to write one sentence. Her wonderful teachers have administered all DRAs orally, nothing written. Her writing is like a kindergartner. She doesn't have a disability, she just isn't there yet developmentally. Her teachers have never worried, they tell me it will come and that she is doing amazing. Her 3rd grade teacher even asks her for oral answers for written test sections because her written answers are so poor. Her oral answers are thorough. So maybe it depends on the school and the teacher that knows her student's capabilities.

Ah - I get it...it is still required to be written BUT the teacher can elect to do the writing for the child IF the teacher writes absolutely every single thing the child says and if there is a reason to administer it this way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How high does FCPS test beyond grade level?

In first or second grade, they will test up to one year ahead.

No, starting in kindergarten they will test up to a year ahead.

And there is no means of knowing how much improvement there was for kids coming in at the benchmark.

My son tested at the top benchmark at the beginning of first grade. An avid reader, I'm guessing he is at an advanced 3rd grade level by now. He just got tested (he told me) a couple of weeks ago. It seems the teacher made him read only one little story and then tell it back. He said it was a "baby" book. Then the teacher said that's it, great job. She didn't test him further, so I'm guessing they tested him at the same benchmark he was tested at the beginning of the year.

That can't be the correct interpretation or relaying of the story. To pass that benchmark the child needs to pass both the fiction and nonfiction parts of the DRA and if he was already at the second grade level, that is all written. If he is still orally "retelling," that is not through second grade.

Nope, the first time my oldest wrote on a DRA was in 3rd grade. They will administer orally for all first and second graders no matter how advanced.

I'm the PP, and forgot to say she went to a Montessori preschool so she was reading magic treehouse books in kinder.

That is incorrect. Both my kids who maxed out at the end of the third grade DRA level 28 while in second grade, used writing as the assessment. I'm also a former first grade teacher in the county.

What does that mean - "maxed out". I thought that there were A-Z level books based on DRA. I find it difficult to believe that a 2nd or 3rd grader would have maxed out of the z level books. Even if they were sounding all the words out perfectly, they were not comprehending the meaning in those stories - Too Young.

[Anonymous]

What does that mean - "maxed out".

It means they met the end of grade level benchmark.

End of second grade benchmark is 28.

End of third grade benchmark is 38.

Of course some kids can read higher than that, but generally schools don't spend time testing kids to their max, just to the end of the grade level benchmark. A lot of FCPS schools will do to the end of the grade above benchmark. A given teacher has to test 18-28 kids in a small window of time. They can't spend time finding the ceiling for every kid. The DRA can take a long time to administer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

What does that mean - "maxed out".

It means they met the end of grade level benchmark.

End of second grade benchmark is 28.

End of third grade benchmark is 38.

Of course some kids can read higher than that, but generally schools don't spend time testing kids to their max, just to the end of the grade level benchmark. A lot of FCPS schools will do to the end of the grade above benchmark. A given teacher has to test 18-28 kids in a small window of time. They can't spend time finding the ceiling for every kid. The DRA can take a long time to administer.

What is the end of 1st grade benchmark? DS is 20 according to his teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What does that mean - "maxed out".

It means they met the end of grade level benchmark.

End of second grade benchmark is 28.

End of third grade benchmark is 38.

Of course some kids can read higher than that, but generally schools don't spend time testing kids to their max, just to the end of the grade level benchmark. A lot of FCPS schools will do to the end of the grade above benchmark. A given teacher has to test 18-28 kids in a small window of time. They can't spend time finding the ceiling for every kid. The DRA can take a long time to administer.

What is the end of 1st grade benchmark? DS is 20 according to his teacher.

16, but they will test up to 28.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What does that mean - "maxed out".

It means they met the end of grade level benchmark.

End of second grade benchmark is 28.

End of third grade benchmark is 38.

Of course some kids can read higher than that, but generally schools don't spend time testing kids to their max, just to the end of the grade level benchmark. A lot of FCPS schools will do to the end of the grade above benchmark. A given teacher has to test 18-28 kids in a small window of time. They can't spend time finding the ceiling for every kid. The DRA can take a long time to administer.

What is the end of 1st grade benchmark? DS is 20 according to his teacher.

16, but they will test up to 28.

Thanks for the information, PP. Good to know that DS meets the benchmark.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What does that mean - "maxed out".

It means they met the end of grade level benchmark.

End of second grade benchmark is 28.

End of third grade benchmark is 38.

Of course some kids can read higher than that, but generally schools don't spend time testing kids to their max, just to the end of the grade level benchmark. A lot of FCPS schools will do to the end of the grade above benchmark. A given teacher has to test 18-28 kids in a small window of time. They can't spend time finding the ceiling for every kid. The DRA can take a long time to administer.

What is the end of 1st grade benchmark? DS is 20 according to his teacher.

16, but they will test up to 28.

Thanks for the information, PP. Good to know that DS meets the benchmark.

If he did not hit the benchmark or if they suspected he was not going to make it by the end of the year, trust me, you would know. Probably around the beginning of the second semester.

I posted earlier about my three. With my oldest, I hardly heard word one about it other than a passing mention at the first quarter parent conference that they had met the benchmark for the year. With my child who is a slower reader, the concern about the spring DRA was brought up very early in the year and shortly after that pullouts with the reading specialist started.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

PP, I agree with you. When my DS was in 3rd grade, he was reading at a high school level. He was an incredibly advanced reader and writer. His math skills, however, were very average - on grade level. He wasn't admitted to AAP. And now we hear that there are plenty of AAP kids who have advanced math skills, but very lacking language arts skills? So why aren't the other kids of kids (like my son - strong lang. arts, weak or avg. math) admitted to AAP as well? Clearly, they aren't looking for kids who are actually "academically advanced". What a bunch of baloney.

You are absolutely correct! Most gifted programs across the country are only math and science. They are looking for scientist, engineers etc. Now in AAP there may not be kids who are truly gifted, but they are close. Gifted services has always been this way.

[Anonymous]

Our DS was tested in 1st and 2nd before entering AAP and the max was one grade above (which he did both times). I have heard of AAP students what are not as strong in reading and need help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

PP, I agree with you. When my DS was in 3rd grade, he was reading at a high school level. He was an incredibly advanced reader and writer. His math skills, however, were very average - on grade level. He wasn't admitted to AAP. And now we hear that there are plenty of AAP kids who have advanced math skills, but very lacking language arts skills? So why aren't the other kids of kids (like my son - strong lang. arts, weak or avg. math) admitted to AAP as well? Clearly, they aren't looking for kids who are actually "academically advanced". What a bunch of baloney.

Since FX County only tests a year ahead in reading at the max, how did you know he was reading at a high school level? They also don't test for writing at all so how do you know his writing was advanced?

You are absolutely correct! Most gifted programs across the country are only math and science. They are looking for scientist, engineers etc. Now in AAP there may not be kids who are truly gifted, but they are close. Gifted services has always been this way.

[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

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.

Yep. AAP entry is supposed to be determined based on aptitude, not how many summer reading and math programs parents have put their kids in.