Year-Long Assessments
Table of Contents
Year-Long Reading Assessments
Goal: .75 years of growth.
In order to reach my goal of.75 of a year's worth of growth, I use the data from the Amplify assessment. The Amplify assessment, screens scholars for comprehension and recalling of the text. I use the data from the assessment to differentiate and create small groups. The way a child is assessed with this program is by reading the material and using it to answer comprehension questions. In addition to answering questions, students must recall the main details from the story. Each story is either fiction or non-fiction and is leveled according the the Fountas and Pinnell scale.
Year long assessments are essential to academic growth of students. These assessments are computer based and monitors the students reading growth. Assessments that are computer based are accurate because students take them independently without the assistance from an instructor. In addition, these assessments are approved by the district and are proven to detect the reading levels of students from around the country. I use this data to form lessons that meet the needs of my students. I also use this information to communicate with families about the progress of their child's reading growth. Moreover, these assessments are used to monitor progress and assist with instructional strategies.
Amplify is the name of the online assessment. This assessment is unique because the teacher uses a physical copy of stories to give to the students to read. While the students read, the teacher marks the words correct, repeated, substituted, or omitted. Although results are recorded electronically, this assessment is traditional because students are only asked to read and verbally show their comprehension.
Amplify has two components that we, Baltimore City Public Schools, use. The first component is DORF, dibels oral reading fluency, where it assesses students for words per minute and accuracy. The other component is TRC, Text for Reading Comprehension, which assesses for reading comprehension.
Below are two samples of Amplify data for students in my class.All of the components of this data is used to categorize the student as below level, on level, above or proficient. I use this data to create small groups as stated in the reading section.
Above is a student that scored low on the assessment. This student was categorized on a RB reading level. This student struggles to read accurately.
Above is a student that scored high on the assessment. This student was categorized on a Q reading level. This student read accurately.
Year-Long Fluency Assessments
Goal: 80% of students read 80 words per minute.
Reading fluently is very important when reading. Fluency affects reading in a timely matter and determines whether a student can determine different sound blends. I do not use this data to create small groups however, I create a goal so that 80% of my students can read 80 words per minute by the end of the year. I address fluency concerns in small groups.
Above is my 302 class' fluency scores. Yellow represents at least 60% accuracy. 22% of my students are on a red. 27% of my students are on a yellow (right below grade level). 32% of my students are on green (on grade level). 19% of my students are on a blue (above grade level).
To track the progress of fluency, I assess my red students every two weeks. My yellow students are assessed every six weeks.
Year-Long Assessments: i-Ready
i-Ready is the last form of a year long assessment that I use. This assessment is administered through a computer and is required by Baltimore City Public Schools. This assessment is administered three times a year; beginning of the year, middle of the year and end of the year. This test monitors growth in reading and math. I use this data, along with TRC, to create small groups because they are very similar.
This test adjusts to the test taker. For instance, if the scholar scores high on a question, the next questions adjusts to the next difficult question and vice versa. After the test is over, the assessment will generate a report that lists the strengths and weaknesses of the test taker. In addition, the assessment will profile each group that either struggled in a subject or had success in a subject.
Above are the overall results of my 302 class. As a class they phonological aware and have mastered high frequency words. They struggle with vocabulary, phonics and comprehension.
Above is a profile that groups my scholars by their strengths and weaknesses on the iReady exam. This profile has difficulties in phonics and vocabulary.
Above is an example of an instructional strategy that will improve profile one's iReady score. There are many types of instructional strategies that support with success on the iReady exam.
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