Re: [MOSAIC] I need suggestions about assessments
Yes - we use it through 8th. I think it is excellent. - Original Message - From: To: Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 8:22 AM Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] I need suggestions about assessments In a message dated 8/31/11 7:49:51 AM, betsylafont...@gmail.com writes: . By the second week of school, all students in the elementary school were tested by this team using the Fountas and Pinnel testing system. Has anyone used Fountas and Pinnel in middle school? My principal is heading in this direction. Pat www.pawsofwood.com ___ 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
Re: [MOSAIC] I need suggestions about assessments
We are looking at using the Roe and Burns IRI, an informal reading inventory for grades 3-6. It tests word recognition (fluency) and comprehension. The testing is fairly short. Fluency and comprehension are both tested on the same passage. The book costs around $80. Four passages for each grade level are given for multiple testing throughout a year. On Aug 31, 2011, at 1:17 PM, C McLoughlin wrote: > The benefit of DIBELS, I found, was in its speed. For grades 3 and up, the > test took 3 minutes, as the standard testing was only a few oral reading > passages at 1 min each. Lower grades tested more basic skills, such as > phonemic awareness and basic (CVC) phonics, and the time varied, but was > rarely more than 5 minutes in total. Students who were clearly proficient > could stop there, others who appeared to have deficient skills could be > tested more thoroughly/diagnostically, with other measures, including more > thorough phonic surveys, or F&P, as appropriate to their needs. Thus we > would be spending more time on those we really needed to diagnose and > prescribe for, rather than doing the same thing for everyone. In order to > monitor progress, we administered DIBELS three times annually. That way we > could adjust instruction mid-year, if progress was insufficient, rather than > waiting until year-end to be sure what was happening. It would be very > difficult to find the time to do that with DRA or F&P - it would certainly > impact instructional time. > > DRA and Fountas & Pinnell are both rather time consuming. We have used them > too, and they really do a better job of measuring comprehension specifically, > but as progress measurement tools they are cumbersome. One real benefit of > F&P, I would say, is that it identifies a specific (F&P) reading level for > each student, so that it can make it easier to choose a "just right" book. > > Carol Mc > Reading Specialist, NY > > > >> >> From: Betsy Lafontant >> To: Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Email Group >> >> Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 6:05 AM >> Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] I need suggestions about assessments >> >> Four years ago, each classroom teacher was expected to administer the DRA. >> It took too long and severely disrupted instruction. Then three years ago, >> ... Our principal and curriculum coordinator suspended student services the >> first 10 days of >> school, recruited our learning support, ESOL and other specials teachers, >> trained them and assigned certain classes or grades to each person. By the >> second week of school, all students in the elementary school were tested by >> this team using the Fountas and Pinnel testing system. They met daily to >> discuss their results and to make sure their testing methods >> were consistent among the team. ... The whole process is repeated in May to >> judge the child's progress over the year. >> >> On Sun, Aug 28, 2011 at 2:55 AM, Saundra McDonald >> wrote: >> >>> >>> Our school is struggling with deciding what kind of reading assessment to >>> use for grades 3-5. In the past we have used DIBELS (mandated by the >>> administration) and DRA2. Our principal has expressed her concern that the >>> DRAs take up too much instructional time to administer and some of the >>> teachers feel there is not consistency from grade to grade in how they are >>> given and so the results are not that helpful. >>> >>> > ___ >>> 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 >>> >>> >> ___ >> 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 >> >> >> >> > ___ > 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 > ___ 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
Re: [MOSAIC] I need suggestions about assessments
The benefit of DIBELS, I found, was in its speed. For grades 3 and up, the test took 3 minutes, as the standard testing was only a few oral reading passages at 1 min each. Lower grades tested more basic skills, such as phonemic awareness and basic (CVC) phonics, and the time varied, but was rarely more than 5 minutes in total. Students who were clearly proficient could stop there, others who appeared to have deficient skills could be tested more thoroughly/diagnostically, with other measures, including more thorough phonic surveys, or F&P, as appropriate to their needs. Thus we would be spending more time on those we really needed to diagnose and prescribe for, rather than doing the same thing for everyone. In order to monitor progress, we administered DIBELS three times annually. That way we could adjust instruction mid-year, if progress was insufficient, rather than waiting until year-end to be sure what was happening. It would be very difficult to find the time to do that with DRA or F&P - it would certainly impact instructional time. DRA and Fountas & Pinnell are both rather time consuming. We have used them too, and they really do a better job of measuring comprehension specifically, but as progress measurement tools they are cumbersome. One real benefit of F&P, I would say, is that it identifies a specific (F&P) reading level for each student, so that it can make it easier to choose a "just right" book. Carol Mc Reading Specialist, NY > >From: Betsy Lafontant >To: Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Email Group > >Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 6:05 AM >Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] I need suggestions about assessments > >Four years ago, each classroom teacher was expected to administer the DRA. >It took too long and severely disrupted instruction. Then three years ago, >... Our principal and curriculum coordinator suspended student services the >first 10 days of >school, recruited our learning support, ESOL and other specials teachers, >trained them and assigned certain classes or grades to each person. By the >second week of school, all students in the elementary school were tested by >this team using the Fountas and Pinnel testing system. They met daily to >discuss their results and to make sure their testing methods >were consistent among the team. ... The whole process is repeated in May to >judge the child's progress over the year. > >On Sun, Aug 28, 2011 at 2:55 AM, Saundra McDonald >wrote: > >> >> Our school is struggling with deciding what kind of reading assessment to >> use for grades 3-5. In the past we have used DIBELS (mandated by the >> administration) and DRA2. Our principal has expressed her concern that the >> DRAs take up too much instructional time to administer and some of the >> teachers feel there is not consistency from grade to grade in how they are >> given and so the results are not that helpful. >> >> > ___ >> 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 >> >> >___ >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 > > > > ___ 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
Re: [MOSAIC] I need suggestions about assessments
Hmmm. Interesting. I think we are moving in that direction as well. It is used in our elementary schools. Stay tuned. Barb On Wed, Aug 31, 2011 at 7:22 AM, wrote: > > In a message dated 8/31/11 7:49:51 AM, betsylafont...@gmail.com writes: > > > > . By the > > second week of school, all students in the elementary school were tested > > by > > this team using the Fountas and Pinnel testing system. > > > > Has anyone used Fountas and Pinnel in middle school? My principal is > heading in this direction. > > > > Pat > www.pawsofwood.com > ___ > 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 > > -- Barb Underdown Literacy Staff Developer Mannheim Middle School 2600 Hyde Park Melrose Park, IL 60164 ___ 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
Re: [MOSAIC] I need suggestions about assessments
In a message dated 8/31/11 7:49:51 AM, betsylafont...@gmail.com writes: > . By the > second week of school, all students in the elementary school were tested > by > this team using the Fountas and Pinnel testing system. > Has anyone used Fountas and Pinnel in middle school? My principal is heading in this direction. Pat www.pawsofwood.com ___ 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
Re: [MOSAIC] I need suggestions about assessments
Four years ago, each classroom teacher was expected to administer the DRA. It took too long and severely disrupted instruction. Then three years ago, our school did something I consider revolutionary. Our principal and curriculum coordinator suspended student services the first 10 days of school, recruited our learning support, ESOL and other specials teachers, trained them and assigned certain classes or grades to each person. By the second week of school, all students in the elementary school were tested by this team using the Fountas and Pinnel testing system. They met daily to discuss their results and to make sure their testing methods were consistent among the team. The team mostly used the running record to judge fluency and the questions to gauge comprehension. While classroom teachers continued their instruction they had to deal with students getting pulled out for 15 - 20 minutes at a time but I thought it was better than what we had before. This is the third year they've done this. The data the classroom teacher gets is valuable consistent and is the starting point for reading instruction and groupings. The whole process is repeated in May to judge the child's progress over the year. While some kids may not be reading on reach grade level, it was great to see that they have made some progress, sometimes at much as three levels! On Sun, Aug 28, 2011 at 2:55 AM, Saundra McDonald wrote: > > Our school is struggling with deciding what kind of reading assessment to > use for grades 3-5. In the past we have used DIBELS (mandated by the > administration) and DRA2. Our principal has expressed her concern that the > DRAs take up too much instructional time to administer and some of the > teachers feel there is not consistency from grade to grade in how they are > given and so the results are not that helpful. > > My question is what assessments do you use at your school? Has anyone used > the Fontas and Pinnell system? If so, is it any less time consuming than > the DRAs? What else is out there? > > Thank you, > Saundra > ___ > 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 > > ___ 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
Re: [MOSAIC] I need suggestions about assessments
www.thereadinglady.com has some really good assessments to choose from. :-) -Original Message- From: mosaic-bounces+jolene.konechne=ssccardinals@literacyworkshop.org [mailto:mosaic-bounces+jolene.konechne=ssccardinals@literacyworkshop.org] On Behalf Of paltm81...@aol.com Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2011 12:03 PM To: mosaic@literacyworkshop.org Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] I need suggestions about assessments Anyone have suggestions for assessment for middle schoolers? Pat www.pawsofwood.com ___ 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 ___ 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
Re: [MOSAIC] I need suggestions about assessments
Pat, A book that I find most helpful - Lin-C provides a multiple list of assessments for middle school learners. It's at my office and if you want the authors I'll send it to you if you'll respond. Mary Mary Edwards, Ph.D. Professor School of Education Dalton State College Dalton, Ga. 30720 Phone: 706.272.2590 FAX: 706.272.2495 From: mosaic-bounces+medwards=daltonstate@literacyworkshop.org [mosaic-bounces+medwards=daltonstate@literacyworkshop.org] On Behalf Of paltm81...@aol.com [paltm81...@aol.com] Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2011 1:02 PM To: mosaic@literacyworkshop.org Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] I need suggestions about assessments Anyone have suggestions for assessment for middle schoolers? Pat www.pawsofwood.com ___ 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 ___ 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
Re: [MOSAIC] I need suggestions about assessments
Anyone have suggestions for assessment for middle schoolers? Pat www.pawsofwood.com ___ 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
Re: [MOSAIC] I need suggestions about assessments
In this vein, I found http://www.hallco.org/literacy/ - if you click on the left bar "RTI literacy notebook" then under Progress Monitoring Tools then dra short form, there's a rubric based on the DRA for a retelling + 2 inferential questions. You can use it with any leveled book. We've used F&P for a couple of years now and like it very much. I prefer it to the DRA because of the conversational comprehension questions and the lack of an emphasis on writing (which is a different thing to assess from reading comprehension). We don't use the F&P for our Universal Screening, though. For that we've used Dibels for the last 2 years and are moving to Aimsweb this year. My feeling is that the F&P or DRA are not quick enough for a US. I assume that the Universal Screening issue is why your administration mandated the Dibels, Saundra. The DRA2 questions sound interesting. I'll keep an eye out for them. Cathy - Original Message - From: "Shults Mt" To: "Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Email Group" Sent: Sunday, August 28, 2011 9:04 AM Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] I need suggestions about assessments Last year I field tested for the second time, a new component for DRA2 or rather a separate assessment component, a progress monitoring assessment that can be done quickly in comparison to the writing for comprehension piece of DRA2. It is still a running record assessment with approximately 6 quick questions that vary at different levels, from setting, vocabulary, synthesis ect. that should be out this fall. This could be done throughout the year and then use the full DRA2 for beginning and end of year. Trish Shults - Original Message - From: "Saundra McDonald" To: Sent: Saturday, August 27, 2011 17:55 Subject: [MOSAIC] I need suggestions about assessments Our school is struggling with deciding what kind of reading assessment to use for grades 3-5. In the past we have used DIBELS (mandated by the administration) and DRA2. Our principal has expressed her concern that the DRAs take up too much instructional time to administer and some of the teachers feel there is not consistency from grade to grade in how they are given and so the results are not that helpful. My question is what assessments do you use at your school? Has anyone used the Fontas and Pinnell system? If so, is it any less time consuming than the DRAs? What else is out there? Thank you, Saundra ___ 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 ___ 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
Re: [MOSAIC] I need suggestions about assessments
We use F and P. All teachers do running records each quarter to track progress. We use more extensive tests, like DRA, for students not showing progress. Running records are relatively quick and easy and teachers don't mind doing them. Hope this helps Jan Sent from my iPad On Aug 27, 2011, at 7:55 PM, Saundra McDonald wrote: > > Our school is struggling with deciding what kind of reading assessment to use > for grades 3-5. In the past we have used DIBELS (mandated by the > administration) and DRA2. Our principal has expressed her concern that the > DRAs take up too much instructional time to administer and some of the > teachers feel there is not consistency from grade to grade in how they are > given and so the results are not that helpful. > > My question is what assessments do you use at your school? Has anyone used > the Fontas and Pinnell system? If so, is it any less time consuming than the > DRAs? What else is out there? > > Thank you, > Saundra > ___ > 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 > ___ 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
Re: [MOSAIC] I need suggestions about assessments
Last year I field tested for the second time, a new component for DRA2 or rather a separate assessment component, a progress monitoring assessment that can be done quickly in comparison to the writing for comprehension piece of DRA2. It is still a running record assessment with approximately 6 quick questions that vary at different levels, from setting, vocabulary, synthesis ect. that should be out this fall. This could be done throughout the year and then use the full DRA2 for beginning and end of year. Trish Shults - Original Message - From: "Saundra McDonald" To: Sent: Saturday, August 27, 2011 17:55 Subject: [MOSAIC] I need suggestions about assessments Our school is struggling with deciding what kind of reading assessment to use for grades 3-5. In the past we have used DIBELS (mandated by the administration) and DRA2. Our principal has expressed her concern that the DRAs take up too much instructional time to administer and some of the teachers feel there is not consistency from grade to grade in how they are given and so the results are not that helpful. My question is what assessments do you use at your school? Has anyone used the Fontas and Pinnell system? If so, is it any less time consuming than the DRAs? What else is out there? Thank you, Saundra ___ 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 ___ 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
Re: [MOSAIC] I need suggestions about assessments
Hi Saundra, My school has been using the F&P Benchmark Assessment System 2. Takes some time, but well worth the effort. There is an initial, quick "where should the student start?" assessment, after which you can begin the regular assessment. We assess the kids three times (Sept. Jan./Feb., June) and are thinking a bit about four times. The assessment yields fluency rate (wpm), accuracy percentage, ability to retell, to infer/synthesize, and to talk about the text itself. There is a final writing/drawing piece that we don't do, as we find the information sufficient to determine an instructional level. During the course of the assessment, you'll also determine a student's independent reading level. I highly and strongly recommend this assessment system. Let me know if you'd like to know any specifics. I won't be at school tomorrow (the storm,) but will be there on Monday and can find any details you're interested in hearing about. Regards, Dwight -- The mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools. -- Confucius ___ 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
Re: [MOSAIC] I need suggestions about assessments
We are going to be implemented Fontas and Pinnell this year. We rolling it out slowly starting with grade 4. There is also a grade 1 teacher using it. They began using it at the end of the last school year so they could get an idea of student progress. We are looking forward to seeing how it goes this year. -Original Message- From: Saundra McDonald To: mosaic Sent: Sat, Aug 27, 2011 8:49 pm Subject: [MOSAIC] I need suggestions about assessments ur school is struggling with deciding what kind of reading assessment to use or grades 3-5. In the past we have used DIBELS (mandated by the dministration) and DRA2. Our principal has expressed her concern that the DRAs ake up too much instructional time to administer and some of the teachers feel here is not consistency from grade to grade in how they are given and so the esults are not that helpful. My question is what assessments do you use at your school? Has anyone used the ontas and Pinnell system? If so, is it any less time consuming than the DRAs? hat else is out there? Thank you, aundra __ osaic mailing list os...@literacyworkshop.org o unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to ttp://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive ___ 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
Re: [MOSAIC] I need suggestions about assessments
Our school uses the DRA. They are trying really hard to make it consistent through the grades. At first I didn't like it, but I have learned to use them to make my small groups. Last year 99% of my kids went up at least one level. Deborah Lawson On Sat, Aug 27, 2011 at 6:55 PM, Saundra McDonald wrote: > > Our school is struggling with deciding what kind of reading assessment to > use for grades 3-5. In the past we have used DIBELS (mandated by the > administration) and DRA2. Our principal has expressed her concern that the > DRAs take up too much instructional time to administer and some of the > teachers feel there is not consistency from grade to grade in how they are > given and so the results are not that helpful. > > My question is what assessments do you use at your school? Has anyone used > the Fontas and Pinnell system? If so, is it any less time consuming than > the DRAs? What else is out there? > > Thank you, > Saundra > ___ > 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 > > ___ 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
Re: [MOSAIC] I need suggestions about assessments
Saundra, We also use both of those assessments, however we only use the DRA for those students who are intensive, or at the bottom of the strategic list. If you would also use the SanDiego Quick Assessment to find their reading levels, you could have them reading at their independent level. Ann Sent from my iPad > > > ___ 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
