EDIT 4/16/21: This post has been adjusted to match the current learning environment. 👍
A couple things to keep in mind:
- These assessments are NOT GRADED and have no effect on your child's report card. I use these assessments to determine how to set up small groups and what skills your child needs to work on to be successful.
- It is an assessment of their current skills and knowledge. It is not an assessment of what we are doing in class.
- Some questions may be difficult. It's okay! That is completely expected and not something to worry about. I will be reminding the kids of this prior to testing as well.
PLEASE email me if you have any questions! I'm always open to helping you understand or feel more at ease with things that we are working on.
- PALS (Phonological Awareness and Literacy Screening)
- What is it? It is a required assessment for second graders that assesses their understanding of sight words (cat, the, apple, sandbox, etc.) and how words sound. It has a spelling part, a sight word (words in isolation) part, and a short reading passage. The student will be guided by the teacher. It is not graded and will not be on their report card.
- Why do we take it? Teachers use the data to determine how well students are able to decode words and recognize word sounds. If they are struggling with multiple sounds, then we will know to give them more support.
- How often do we take it? All second graders take it in the fall; they have been taking it since Kindergarten if they have been in Virginia. Some students will take it again in the winter and the spring. If this applies to your child, I will let you know.
- CLICK HERE for more information from PALS.
- DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment)
- What is it? It is a required assessment for second graders that determines what reading level they are reading at. This includes reading a passage (fluency - how smoothly they read) and answering questions (comprehension of the text). The student will be guided by the teacher. It is not graded and will not be on their report card.
- Why do we take it? Teachers use this data to determine what reading level a student is. This helps us with making small reading groups and knowing what skills to work on.
- How often do we take it? All second graders take the DRA in the fall and the spring. Some students will take it in the winter. If this applies to your child, I will let you know. Students have been taking this assessment since they were in Kindergarten if they were in Virginia.
- MAP (Measures of Academic Progress)
- What is it? It is a required assessment for second graders that assesses their reading skills and their math skills. It adjusts depending on how your child answers the questions. It is not graded and will not be on their report card.
- If your child successfully answers a question, it will give them a harder question. After a couple of questions, it will level out and test them where they are successful.
- We take a reading MAP and a math MAP. They will be taken on separate dates.
- Why do we take it? Teachers use this data to determine what math and reading skills a student has and what they need to work on.
- How often do we take it? Second graders take MAP (both reading and math) three times a year (fall, winter, spring). Students may have taken this assessment previously if they were at Pinebrook in the fall of first grade.
Again, if you have questions or concerns about an assessment (or anything really), PLEASE email me! I do not want you to stress or worry over anything. I am here to help and clarify anything you may be concerned about.