[MOSAIC] DRA

[kandrews-babcock]

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