Sandy, We are actually phasing out DRAs for the same reasons that you mentioned plus the fact that there isn't a correlation between the DRA levels for students when they leave 2nd grade and when they take our state's standardized test in 3rd grade. Our system initially sent several people to a "Train the trainers" workshop with the company. Then they returned to teach everyone else. That was about ten years ago. Now the curriculum coaches train any new teachers.
Kate in NC "What children can do together today, they can do alone tomorrow." - Lev Vygotsky ________________________________________ From: Sandy Stevens [sstev...@maustonschools.org] Sent: Thursday, April 02, 2009 4:35 PM To: mosaic@literacyworkshop.org Subject: [MOSAIC] DRA I am a Title 1 teacher in a small rural school. I have been asked to do a training for staff on administering the DRA. As I am exploring the needs and the practices in my school, I am now hesitant to do this. But then again, I guess that is why it was recognized that there is a need for this kind of training. There are great inconsistencies in how teachers are administering the DRA. Teachers have admitted to prompting kids and many say they "push" the kids as far as they feel they can go. On occasions when I do the DRA's, I find the levels I get are much lower than what the teachers get. Many times as much as 3 or 4 levels lower. We even have several 1st graders who are supposdly at level 30. Some teachers are doing great. But others are not doing the comprehension piece and, to top it off, some teachers are doing the older version of DRA(which does not account for fluency)and a few are doing the DRA2. As I am exploring the DRA 2, I see that there is a big difference between the two. When I go to IEP referral meetings, I often notice that there is a difference between the reading levels that I test kids at and the levels that classroom teachers test at. Also, many 2nd grade teachers have expressed that the kids coming in the fall are at much lower levels than the 1st grade teachers have documented that they are at, even taking into consideration the loss during the sumer break. I have a great rapport with all the teachers here. But even with that, I try not to express my opinion unless asked. I have previously worked in a school where teachers were very resentful to have anyone outside their classroom give suggestions, so I try to not advise unless asked. A big part of the problem is that there has never been any training of the DRA, formal or otherwise. The previous administrators bought the kits and just expected teachers to figure it out. I believe they are trying to do their best. I am not a trained reading coach and I am not a reading specialist, though my Master's is in reading. And while I want to help, I think they need someone from the DRA company to come and do a training. But you know how it is, money is tight and budgets are continually cut. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks. Sandy in WI ********************************************************************************************** IMPORTANT: In compliance with federal law, the Rowan-Salisbury School System administers all educational programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination because of race, religion, national or ethnic origin, color, age, military service, disability, or gender, except where exemption is appropriate and allowed by law. The contents of this email and any attachments are confidential. They are intended for the named recipient(s) only. If you have received this email in error, please notify the system manager or the sender immediately and do not disclose the contents to anyone or make copies thereof. *** eSafe scanned this email for viruses, vandals, and malicious content. *** ********************************************************************************************** _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
