[LIT] data records for kids reading

[khonyx at aol.com]

The vocab section is words in a phrase and the kids pick out the definition.  The comprehension has passages and comprehension questions.  Many are "right there"  or "think and search" questions, but there are some inferential questions.  I've used it for about 5-6 years now and it seems pretty accurate.  It corresponds pretty closely with what I see in the classroom and the level of books where each is comfortable.  If a student's vocab is weak, it really shows up.  Some ESL students show a little weaker in comprehension because of the vocab.  It's quick, whole class, and fairly accurate when used in conjunction with other assessments.

Although it does not give me the info an informal reading survey might, it lets me know which kids I need to scaffold and watch more closely.  The LA portion of our state test is 2 days with a good deal of writing.  I question its accuracy in predicting classroom success because it just wears some kids out.  I need to build up the endurance and perserverance of my little 6th graders!:)



Karen Onyx
Carusi Middle School


-----Original Message-----
From: Heather Poland <hpoland at gmail.com>
To: A list for improving literacy with focus on middle grades. <lit at literacyworkshop.org>
Sent: Sat, 30 Aug 2008 7:30 pm
Subject: Re: [LIT] data records for kids reading



How is the Gates assessment? My district just switched to it, but I haven't
een it yet. How are the comprehension questions? Do they read passages or
onger text? What 
are the vocab questions like? Do you think it accurately
ssesses your students? Does it give you info you can really use?
On Sat, Aug 30, 2008 at 1:29 PM, <khonyx at aol.com> wrote:
> We use a Gates MacGinite?on the kids 3x a year to monitor reading levels.?
 There are 2 parts- 20 min. vocab. and 35 min. comprehension.? It can be
 given whole class and it gives a grade level for each section and a combined
 score.?

 We also use our state scores, the NJASK, once they come in. This gives us
 general regions of focus.? I usually have around 100 kids, so getting?a
 running record on each of them is a little difficult.? I focus the deeper
 testing on anyone in the "bubble region" or close to not meeting standard.

 I also keep a spread sheet with this information plus track their
 independent reading for the year.


 Karen Onyx
 Carusi Middle School


 -----Original Message-----
 From: Debbie Parker <debracparker at sbcglobal.net>
 To: Literacy List Serve <lit at literacyworkshop.org>
 Sent: Sat, 30 Aug 2008 8:26 am
 Subject: [LIT] data records for kids reading




















 We are implementing a lot of RTI this year in our school and need to
 collect?more data about how kids read.? Do any of you have records or
 evaluations that you use that could help?? Thanks,


 Debbie Parker
 203-470-7705
 debracparker at sbcglobal.net
 ?
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-- 
 Heather
"DIBELS is the worst thing to happen to the teaching of reading since the
evelopment of flash cards." - P. David Pearson"
"When our children fail competency tests the schools lose
unding. When our missiles fail tests, we increase
unding. "
Dennis Kucinich, Democratic Presidential Candidate
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