Presently we use F&P to find reading levels - which is kind of funny since it is not on the approved tests on our state testing list. But ATOLS (I think I have those letters correct, if not sorry, I mean the method AR uses to level books). I was wondering if I should ask our district to investigate using the Star test --- F&P testing at third and above really is a waste of time for us and gives an inflated reading level so we classroom teachers are trying to find something better to ask to replace it. Any help is welcome.
What is even funnier...See MoreIn my school we us F&P AND DRA results. AR is available and we are "supposed" to use it, but hardly anyone does. I do, however, and have reached "model/master" class 5 years now. This year specifically, i looked closely at correlations between DRA F&P and the AR star test. The AR star consistently pairs up...!
What is even funnier, tho, is my co-teacher and I in October (when we start AR) made predictions of the AR star reading levels for each kid BEFORE testing on ANYTHING---only class observation and our own experience. OUR predictions correlated so closely we had a good laugh.
All this testing testing testing and time time time.money, money, money....it's not that hard to figure out about what level a kid is at. hahah
My opinion is I'd like to see the AR star especially for one of the local measures when it comes to the new evaluations. Easy to administer and yes, I think it gives valid results.
On 2/12/13, teach4 wrote: > My school uses the AR reading program but we do not use the > Star testing componet - I gather that is an additional > cost. I was just wondering how much more? Teachers who are > using do you find it gives valid results at the third grade > and higher levels? > > Presently we use F&P to find reading levels - which is kind > of funny since it is not on the approved tests on our state > testing list. But ATOLS (I think I have those letters > correct, if not sorry, I mean the method AR uses to level > books). I was wondering if I should ask our district to > investigate using the Star test --- F&P testing at third > and above really is a waste of time for us and gives an > inflated reading level so we classroom teachers are trying > to find something better to ask to replace it. Any help is > welcome.
I'm a Special Education teacher. My students are taking AR exams, and I allow them to 'check' their text when unsure about an answer. I feel this helps them develop necessary skills for FCAT. I don't consider this cheating because they are reading for comprehension, not memorization.
On 2/21/13, Neida wrote: > I'm a Special Education teacher. My students are taking AR > exams, and I allow them to 'check' their text when unsure > about an answer. I feel this helps them develop necessary > skills for FCAT. I don't consider this cheating because > they are reading for comprehension, not memorization.
Hmmmm....I don't believe there are any rules that say the student can not use the book to check answers;although, it might use a lot of time. The AR's purpose is for students to practice reading on their own level and providing a way of measuring their progress. I find most kids today don't want to read for various reasons. Counting points ect., are ways of getting them to read. Which comes to my question. Are there any new ideas out there