The following frequently asked questions are designed to help teachers and district staff with administering
and processing the DRA.
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Students who are not yet successful with DRA Level A or 1 are to be assessed with the designated Alternate Assessment (AA), the Emerging Literacy Survey. Report students who are assessed with the Alternate Assessment as "Level AA" during the DRA electronic entry reporting window.
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Yes, it is necessary to report a score for each student, though the student does not need to be tested in subsequent cycles. You can report Level 44 in subsequent cycles.
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The 90-94 percent range represents the student’s instructional level, and it is the instructional level that should be reported (at the end of the grading period). A student’s independent level is the level at which he/she reads with 95-100 percent accuracy, with fluency, and comprehension. A student’s independent level is generally one or two levels lower than his/her instructional level.
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The DRA is not an appropriate tool to use for the monthly monitoring of students’ independent reading level. This leads to over-use of the DRA and students will eventually learn the test. Teachers are to use leveled/benchmark books for monthly monitoring.
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This is usually an indication that the DRA is being over-used or was over-used in the past. It is important to administer the DRA only when on-going classroom assessments (e.g., running records using leveled/benchmark books) suggest that the student is likely to be able to reach the next level. If your students are in the situation where you suspect that the DRA is no longer accurately measuring their reading proficiency, please call the Literacy Department at (619) 725-7250 for assistance.
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The level reported at the end of each grading period should reflect the student’s current DRA instructional level. This does not mean that the DRA must be administered at the end of the grading period. If the student’s most recent DRA level is still appropriate at the end of the grading period, that DRA level should be reported.
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The DRA can be used with students in upper elementary grades who are reading well below grade level (DRA level 18 or below). This may be particularly helpful to use with English Learners in the upper elementary grades. The purpose of using the DRA to test students well below grade level at Grades 5 and 6 is to inform instruction and scores will not be collected at the district level.
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Although we would count it as an accurate retell, we cannot accept a Spanish retell indefinitely. The standard that we wish to hold the student to is a retell in English. The teacher needs to set a teaching objective of oral language development in English for this student.
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No, they do not. The DRA is appropriate and should be used with other Special Education and 504 Plan students. Appropriate accommodations that are listed in the student's IEP/ISP may be used for this instrument. |
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No. The Alternative DRA texts remain for the sole use of English Learners who are enrolled in Biliteracy programs. The alternative texts should not be used for any other purpose.
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DRA scores are collected via the district’s DRA on-line web entry system. Detailed hard copies and electronic instructions about this process are sent directly to the Testing Coordinator prior to each reporting period. |
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Once a student is pre-enrolled/enrolled at your school, you have access to their DRA scores. DRA scores can be found in the Student Information System (SIS) by using Query # 538. After the window closes for submitting DRA scores via the on-line web entry system, it typically takes three days for scores to be uploaded into the SIS for viewing. |
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If you need additional kits for use on your site, you may fax the Assessment Services Department at
(619) 295-6875 using your school’s fax cover sheet. Include how many kits you would like to purchase and a budget number for payment processing. Due to budget cuts, no free kits will be provided.
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DRA worksheets are stock items and are available at no cost to schools. They can be ordered electronically through the district’s PeopleSoft Financial System.
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Additional information can be found on the Standards, Assessment, and Accountability website or by calling the District Assessment Unit at (619) 725-7172.
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