Assessment Update and Review of FCRR Web-based Resources

1. Assessment Update and Review of FCRR Web-based Resources AmeriCorps Program Directors Meeting March 5, 2008 Stacey Fisher Randee Winterbottom Florida Center for Reading Research

2. Objectives Participants will� Understand purposes for reading assessment Know the four types of assessments Have a brief overview of the new Florida Assessment Project Know DIBELS uses / misuses Be familiar with DIBELS position papers Be able to access Online DIBELS website Be able to access Empowering Teachers website and have an understanding of how to use it

3. Why Assess? Collect data to determine problems and make decisions about students Help to catch children before they fall any further behind Determine effectiveness of curriculum and instruction One of the first questions to ask is, �Why Assess?� We assess to gather information and data that will assist us as we make instructional decisions about our students, to guide us in knowing if we are on the right track in meeting students instructional needs. Assessments may be formal or informal and conducted through a variety of methods. One of the first questions to ask is, �Why Assess?� We assess to gather information and data that will assist us as we make instructional decisions about our students, to guide us in knowing if we are on the right track in meeting students instructional needs. Assessments may be formal or informal and conducted through a variety of methods.

4. Four Types of Assessments Screening First Alert � which students may need extra assistance Progress Monitoring Is the child making adequate progress towards reading goals? Diagnostic Used only if progress monitoring is not answering questions concerning a student�s weaknesses and strengths in reading skills Outcome Did the student make progress toward reading standards There are four types of assessments that should be considered when assessment needs are determined. What is the purpose of the assessment? (Review each type on the screen.) What type of test do you think the DIBELS is? For Reading First: Screening � DIBELS - baseline Progress Monitoring � DIBELS � taking temperature along the way, before students get too far behind Diagnostics � ERDA, DAR, others - for delving deeper into students deficits Outcome � SAT-10, FCAT � did the school/ district meet their goals, accountabilityThere are four types of assessments that should be considered when assessment needs are determined. What is the purpose of the assessment? (Review each type on the screen.) What type of test do you think the DIBELS is? For Reading First: Screening � DIBELS - baseline Progress Monitoring � DIBELS � taking temperature along the way, before students get too far behind Diagnostics � ERDA, DAR, others - for delving deeper into students deficits Outcome � SAT-10, FCAT � did the school/ district meet their goals, accountability

5. Uses of DIBELS Identify students at risk for reading difficulties Monitor at-risk students while they receive additional, targeted instruction Examine effectiveness of school�s instructional supports

6. Misuses of DIBELS Using DIBELS as a diagnostic tool Teaching to the test Using data to grade students and make decisions about retention Using data to evaluate teachers and make decisions about funding

7. DIBELS Online Provide greater training opportunities to educators Increase sustainability after the conclusion of Reading First Individuals can train at their own pace

14. This is a diagram showing the proposed plan for the new Florida Assessment ProjectThis is a diagram showing the proposed plan for the new Florida Assessment Project

15. The new FL Assessment Program incorporates all 4 types of assessments. This slide shows the relationship between screening and outcome goals and assessment. The screening will be used to predict how well students will do on the outcome goals and measure (SAT-10)The new FL Assessment Program incorporates all 4 types of assessments. This slide shows the relationship between screening and outcome goals and assessment. The screening will be used to predict how well students will do on the outcome goals and measure (SAT-10)

16. This slide reviews the skills that will be used for progress monitoring. Again, it is important to use PM to determine how a child is progressing toward the outcome goals.This slide reviews the skills that will be used for progress monitoring. Again, it is important to use PM to determine how a child is progressing toward the outcome goals.

17. If a student shows a low probability of meeting end of year goals, the diagnostic measures included in the FLAP will be used to further diagnose and possibly place a student in an intervention class and/ or with a tutor to receive additional support. If a student shows a low probability of meeting end of year goals, the diagnostic measures included in the FLAP will be used to further diagnose and possibly place a student in an intervention class and/ or with a tutor to receive additional support.

18. Empowering Teachers Website developed through the collaboration between Assessment Programs Curriculum & Instruction Research Faculty The goal is to explicitly link assessment and instruction 2007-08 website includes kindergarten & first grade

19. Goals for this sessionWe will answer the following questions: What is the �Empowering Teachers� website? What can I find on this website? Navigate through the website and discuss the type of content you will find How will I access the �Empowering Teachers� website? www.fcrr.org/empoweringteachers Future sections in the �Empowering Teachers� website

20. Website contents Practical application How to differentiate instruction Questions to guide instruction Instructional Planning Guides Background knowledge Elements of effective instruction Essentials for reading success Assessment

32. Empowering Teachers Website www.fcrr.org/empoweringteachers Contact us: assessments@fcrr.org 850-644-9352

33. Contact Information Randee Winterbottom, M.S. Director of Assessment Programs 850/645-7505 rwinterbottom@fcrr.org Stacey Fisher, M.S., CCC-SLP Coordinator of Training and Technical Assistance for Assessment Programs 850/645-7507 sfisher@fcrr.org