Anyone using the DRA2?

[tndrmrcies]

We just got sample kits for the DRA2. We've been using the first edition for three years. We're thinking of upgrading this year or next. Does anyone use the DRA2? I'm interested in knowing if you like it better and what if any pitfalls there might be? Thanks!

[lia]

We just got sample kits for the DRA2. We've been using the first edition for three years. We're thinking of upgrading this year or next. Does anyone use the DRA2? I'm interested in knowing if you like it better and what if any pitfalls there might be? Thanks!


We have the new DRA2 kits this year, after years of using the first edition. I think it's a bit better; they made things clearer (certain charts) and replaced some stories all together. The pictures have also been changed to show more racial diversity. However, I think the assessments are much more difficult than the first edition--children are timed for fluency starting at level 14, are expected to write their answers from around level 28 or so, and are asked far more comprehension questions than the regular retelling part. Things like reading habits are now factored into the final score. And they can only "miss" one section on the rubric to not pass. But it definitely gives you more information and also has a checklist so you know where to go with the child--what to focus on in reading conferences. It will take you a lot longer though to complete it...but I think it's valuable information that you get from it.

[LJL]

Let's say there is a first grade student who is reading easily a level 30 and can orally retell every single thing that happened in the book but is having difficulty with the writing portion? What happens then? Do they pass and if they don't pass the writing portion only up to say a 18 are the second grade teachers SERIOUSLY going to begin teaching the child at that level because the writing was not there yet??? This seems so wrong to me. What about kids who have not developed fine motor skills and are tired after writing a few sentences ?? I like this test EXCEPT for this!!!! No one seems to be able to answer this question for me anywhere??!!!!

[mopar]

I know what it says in the test. However, I would suggest then making a note to the next teacher that says the student struggles with the writing portion but can pass the reading test to blank level. The student can orally respond to the writing part up to blank level. This will give the next years teacher even more information.