Beth, Re: DRA assessment The DRA is a tool meant to measure the fluency and comprehension growth of a student within a school year. When the continuum is used purposefully, there is a multitude of teaching that can happen between the two tests. We are currently using the DRA 2 and it offers a wealth of information about how to best teach each child. We are required to give it to students below grade level each marking period as well. When you mention "BIG differences between what is done for a 1st grader compared to a 3rd grader" I'm a bit confused. If you are referring to teaching strategies or a child moving up through the DRA levels. Please clarify so I can speak to that. I think it's important to remember that assessment should be driving your instruction. So when you give a DRA, you have lots of information to now decide how to group and instruct your students. I think what happens is that teachers sometimes get hung up on the actual 'testing' do it and forget to revisit it to aid them in planning instruction. It's easy to do that especially when you have a lot of testing going on. Hope this helps, Kelly AB
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