Using Common Reading

Assessments
to Impact Student Learning
K-3 Staff Workshops

April 15, 3:30-4:30- Working with the PM Benchmark Kit

April 22, 3:00-4:30- Digging deeper into the DRA2
Using the DRA/PM Kit at ACS
 Using the DRA/PM Kit at ACS

DRA
 Using the DRA/PM Kit at ACS

DRA
• is a “standardized test” used
to gather baseline and end of
the year data
 Using the DRA/PM Kit at ACS

DRA
• is a “standardized test” used
to gather baseline and end of
the year data

• is used to find instructional

strategies for individual
students/identify class needs
and whole grade level trends
 Using the DRA/PM Kit at ACS

DRA
• is a “standardized test” used
to gather baseline and end of
the year data

• is used to find instructional

strategies for individual
students/identify class needs
and whole grade level trends

• given 2x year on agreed upon

date*
 Using the DRA/PM Kit at ACS

DRA PM
• is a “standardized test” used
to gather baseline and end of
the year data

• is used to find instructional

strategies for individual
students/identify class needs
and whole grade level trends

• given 2x year on agreed upon

date*
 Using the DRA/PM Kit at ACS
DRA
• is a “standardized test” used
to gather baseline and end of
the year data
• is used to find instructional
strategies for individual
students/identify class needs
and whole grade level trends
• given 2x year on agreed upon
date*
PM
• is a common assessment tool
used to find/verify a student’s
independent reading level
(Finding the independent level
allows the teacher to also
find instructional points/needs)
*Independent/Instructional- are
like turn around facts
 Using the DRA/PM Kit at ACS
DRA
• is a “standardized test” used
to gather baseline and end of
the year data
• is used to find instructional
strategies for individual
students/identify class needs
and whole grade level trends
• given 2x year on agreed upon
date*
PM
• is a common assessment tool
used to find/verify a student’s
independent reading level
(Finding the independent level
allows the teacher to also
find instructional points/needs)
*Independent/Instructional- are
like turn around facts
• can be given at the teacher’s
discretion on an as needed
basis
 Learning more
about the PM in
grade level teams
4:00-4:20
 Learning more
about the PM in
grade level teams
4:00-4:20

1. Briefly review the PM TG and

the ACS PM Guidelines
2. Practice giving the PM
3. Discuss using the tool and capture
your thinking
Next time: Digging Deeper into the
DRA2
 “Team Work” April 16-21
Together with your GL team
please view your targeted Level
on the DRA2 Training DVD

Complete the worksheet to

capture your thinking and bring
it back to the next meeting-
April 22, 3:00-4:30

We will use this information to

help us create some Essential
Agreements for the division
(K-3) and for each GL

Each Teacher Independent work:

Please read DRA TG- your
portion Thank You!
 April 22 - Staff Workshop 2
Digging Deeper into the DRA2
The DRA is...
The DRA is...
a way for us to find
each child’s instructional
reading level (from
there we also know
information about their
independent levels)
The DRA is...
a way for us to find
each child’s instructional
reading level (from
there we also know
information about their
independent levels)

useful in determining
instructional strategies
to help move each child
forward
The DRA is...
a way for us to find
each child’s instructional
reading level (from
there we also know
information about their
independent levels)

useful in determining
instructional strategies
to help move each child
forward
able to provide us with
data to track individual
student growth, whole-
class or grade-level
trends, and to evaluate
our reading program
school-wide
The DRA is not...
The DRA is not...
useful for completing our report cards
each quarter
The DRA is not...
useful for completing our report cards
each quarter
the only data we gather to show
student progress
The DRA is not...
useful for completing our report cards
each quarter
the only data we gather to show
student progress
efficient- completing it 2x gives us
what we need
 Moving Forward:
DRA Team Recommendations

Testing material thrown away- April 2, 2009

 Moving Forward:
DRA Team Recommendations
The DRA will be used 2x a year: Sept/May

Testing material thrown away- April 2, 2009

 Moving Forward:
DRA Team Recommendations
The DRA will be used 2x a year: Sept/May

A student can be tested up to one grade level

above

Testing material thrown away- April 2, 2009

 Moving Forward:
DRA Team Recommendations
The DRA will be used 2x a year: Sept/May

A student can be tested up to one grade level

above

Our emphasis will be on using the information

from the DRA to guide our instruction and report
trends over time rather than as a means for
completing our report cards.

Testing material thrown away- April 2, 2009

 Moving Forward:
DRA Team Recommendations
The DRA will be used 2x a year: Sept/May

A student can be tested up to one grade level

above

Our emphasis will be on using the information

from the DRA to guide our instruction and report
trends over time rather than as a means for
completing our report cards.

As one form of evidence, the PM Benchmark Kit

can be used to help teachers verify a child’s
reading level

Testing material thrown away- April 2, 2009

 Moving Forward:
DRA Team Recommendations
The DRA will be used 2x a year: Sept/May

A student can be tested up to one grade level

above

Our emphasis will be on using the information

from the DRA to guide our instruction and report
trends over time rather than as a means for
completing our report cards.

As one form of evidence, the PM Benchmark Kit

can be used to help teachers verify a child’s
reading level

The DRA Kit could be kept in the literacy library

Testing material thrown away- April 2, 2009 and checked out during the DRA Testing Windows.
Benefits include: freeing up valuable space in
classrooms and Jen can monitor that materials are
always organized, ready, and kept only in the kits
 Moving Forward:
DRA Team Recommendations
Testing material thrown away- April 2, 2009
DRA K-3 tests will now only be
copied on Pale Yellow paper
The DRA will be used 2x a year: Sept/May
A student can be tested up to one grade level
above
Our emphasis will be on using the information
from the DRA to guide our instruction and report
trends over time rather than as a means for
completing our report cards.
As one form of evidence, the PM Benchmark Kit
can be used to help teachers verify a child’s
reading level
The DRA Kit could be kept in the literacy library
and checked out during the DRA Testing Windows.
Benefits include: freeing up valuable space in
classrooms and Jen can monitor that materials are
always organized, ready, and kept only in the kits
Reviewing the DRA2
Teachers Guide in
mixed grade-level
groups
3:25-3:50PM

Jigsaw
Teachers teach each other
about their section of the TG.
Notes for each section can be
captured on the recording sheet
(25 minutes)
 Before Moving a Level
Ask yourself??

Is there anything else I should teach at this level?

Have I modeled, guided practice and observed

independent practice of the student, so that I am
confident that this student can move successfully
to the next level?

Copyright © 2007 Pearson Education, inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved.

From Lenore’s Instructional

Needs

Training in
Oct.
Copyright © 2007 Pearson Education, inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
 DRA Team Handouts/Discussion
3:50-4:20

DRA2/PM
Cycle

ACS DRA2
Guidelines
 DRA Team Handouts/Discussion
3:50-4:20

DRA2/PM
Cycle

ACS DRA2
Guidelines
 DRA Team Handouts/Discussion
3:50-4:20

DRA2/PM
Cycle

ACS DRA2
Guidelines
Revisions/
Additions...
Closing...
“TEAM-WORK” April 23-May 3: Discuss new DRA guidelines and
prepare for testing window May 10-21 (KG2 May 3-21)

How can we support each other prior to or after the assessment?

Jen or any of the TL can attend a GL team meeting to discuss any
of this further

Jen or any of the team leaders can help facilitate practice/

discussion with the PM Kit

Staff Workshop #3- REVISIONS/ADDITIONS