Frequently Asked Questions about DRA



Frequently Asked Questions about DRA

• What is the DRA?

The DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment) is an individualized reading assessment that enables teachers to evaluate growth in student reading performance over time. The DRA identifies a student’s independent reading level. This is the level at which a student can read successfully without assistance. Oral reading should be fluent and free of overt signs of tension. The student’s accuracy in word recognition should be high and comprehension should be excellent.

• How is oral reading fluency, accuracy, and comprehension measured by the DRA?

Teachers listen while students read short passages aloud. A student should be able to read text at his or her independent level fluently, with the appropriate expression, in long meaningful phrases, and heed most punctuation. Students, who are being assessed at a DRA level 14-60, are timed and the number of words read per minute (WPM) is calculated. The WPM must fall within an acceptable range for the level. Students, who are being assessed at a DRA level A-12, are not timed and WPM is not calculated. In addition, students must read the passage with at least 94% accuracy for the lower levels and up to 97% accuracy for the higher levels. Students must also be able to comprehend and respond adequately to prompts and questions after reading. For levels A-24, students provide oral responses. For levels 28-60, students provide written responses.

• What is the purpose of the DRA?

The DRA provides information that teachers use to group students for guided reading and to plan appropriate reading instruction that is differentiated to meet students’ needs. The DRA level is also used to match students with text that allows them to read for meaning, draw on the reading skills they already control, and expand their reading skills in text with the right mixture of support and challenge.

• When is the DRA given?

At Lowes Island, The DRA is given in the fall, at mid-year (optional), and in the spring.

• How do students’ DRA levels correlate to their grade level?

The table below illustrates how DRA levels correlate to school grade levels. Fountas & Pinnell Guided Reading levels are also included for reference.

|Grade Level |DRA Level |Guided Reading Level |

|Kindergarten |A-1 |A |

|Kindergarten/First |2 |B |

|Kindergarten/First |3 (K) |C |

|First |4 |D |

|First |6/8 |E |

|First |10 |F |

|First |12 |G |

|First/Second |14 |H |

|First/Second |16 (1st) |I |

|Second |18 |J |

|Second |20 |K |

|Second/Third |24 |L |

|Second/Third |28 (2nd) |M |

|Third |30 |N |

|Third |34 |O |

|Third/Fourth |38 (3rd) |P |

|Fourth |40 (4th) |Q |

|Fourth/Fifth |40/50 |R,S |

|Fifth |50 (5th) |T,U,V |

|Sixth |60 | |

|Seventh/Eighth |70/80 | |

Bolded and underlined levels represent the spring benchmark for each grade level.

• How can parents find appropriately leveled text for their child?

Parents should ask the classroom teacher what their child’s independent reading level is and secure books at this level for their child to read. Two good websites to find lists of leveled text are:

1.

This web site provides a list of books leveled by guided reading level. Refer to the chart above to convert DRA levels to the corresponding guided reading level.

2.

On this web site, you can look up the reading level of any scholastic book. Specify the reading level system "DRA" in the upper right corner of the page. You can do a "quick search" of a title to check the DRA level. You can also customize your search by DRA level, subject, and genre or search for similar books at the DRA level that you need.

• Additional questions about DRA?

Please feel free to contact your childs teacher or the reading specialist, Cathy Stalzer.

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