Thursday, December 5, 2013

How to Understand Scores From a Developmental Reading Assessment

How to Understand Scores From a Developmental Reading Assessment

The Developmental Reading Assessment, or DRA, is a standardized tool used by classroom teachers in grades K-8 to evaluate the independent reading level of their students. It helps teachers keep records of the progress students are making in the areas of reading comprehension, fluency and accuracy. The test is administered individually to each student by the classroom teacher. Some states require this assessment to be administered two to three times per year. When a teacher shares results of this assessment with parents it is important to understand the results, what they mean for their child at school and what parents can do to help their child improve her reading proficiency.

Instructions

    1

    Request the results of the DRA from the teacher. These will probably be shared at parent-teacher conferences. DRA levels correspond to the grade level at which the student is able to independently read and understand material. A student whose DRA level is from A-2 indicates he is reading at a kindergarten level. Levels 3-16 imply a first-grade reading level. Second grade scores range from 18-28. Scores between 30 and 38 mean the student is at the third-grade level. Scores from 40 to 44 show fourth- and fifth-grade reading levels, respectively.

    2

    Ask the teacher what these scores mean in terms of the strategies and skills the school is using when teaching your child to read. The school should provide copies of the guided reading book that your child is reading from. Teachers should also share information regarding the child's fluency, reading rate, comprehension and typical errors made by the child.

    3

    Request sample book lists and recommendations for types of activities that can be helpful for improving your child's reading abilities at home. Reading with your child, asking her to recount the events in a story, listening to books on tape and practicing high-frequency words might be suggested.