"Reading success is the foundation for achievement throughout the school years" (Early Reading Strategy, 2003, p. 3).
What is DRA2, K-3?
The Developmental Reading Assessment®, Second Edition, (DRA2) is a formative reading assessment system that allows teachers to assess student reading level, then observe, record, and evaluate changes in their reading performance.
DRA2 includes recommendations for scaffolded support to increase student reading proficiency.
A student's DRA2 level (independent reading level) reflects the student's oral reading fluency (95% accuracy) and comprehension (90%) at independent performance levels
Who takes this test?
Currently, all students in grades K–3 are given the DRA2 reading assessment. However, teachers in other grade levels may give this assessment to their students.
When will students be assessed?
All kindergarten students are given the DRA2 three times a year: fall, winter, and spring. Grades 1–3 are given the DRA in the winter and spring only. Check with your child’s teacher for specific dates.
What are the benefits of the DRA2 assessment?
DRA2 assessments support the Ontario Curriculum. The results from DRA2 provide teachers with accurate and timely information on a student’s current independent reading level, identify what the student needs to learn next, and finds areas where significant growth has occurred.
Is DRA2 the only assessment my child is given?
DRA2 is only one assessment that your child takes throughout the school year. Please contact your child’s teacher to learn about other assessments being administered in the classroom or at the school.
No single assessment provides a full picture of your child’s abilities and achievements. Each assessment that your child participates in contributes to the whole picture and provides important decisions about your child’s education.
How can families assist with DRA?
The DRA2 assessment is more about finding an independent reading level and less about assigning a grade or score. Here are a few tips to help your child achieve his or her reading goals.
• Meet with your child’s teacher as often as needed to discuss his or her progress.
• Provide a variety of books and magazines for your child to read at home. Also, encourage your child to reread books.
• Create routines at home that support reading.
• Encourage problem-solving. When reading, give your child time to work things out on their own before providing assistance.
• Talk to your child about what they are reading and encourage him or her to engage in conversation about what he or she is reading.
• Ask your child to write! Write grocery lists, to do lists, notes to family and friends, journals, etc.
Suggested resource links
The Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) is published by Pearson Education. For more information on the DRA
DRA Reading Level Assessment Correlation Chart
Provides an developmental continuum of reading levels throughout the DRA program.
Lexile Framework for Reading
Learn about Lexile levels, look up the level of a book, or find books by entering a given Lexile or grade level. Books are categorized by interest areas.
Book Wizard by Scholastic
Type in name of a book to determine its reading level or browse for books by selecting a reading level.
Reading Rockets
Find information on helping your child find books, how to help your child with reading at home, and many other helpful resources.
Accelerated Reader Quiz Store
Type in a name of a book to determine its AR reading level as well as AR points.
Parent' Guide: Reading and Writing with your child
A family resource intended to help you support your child. All tips are based on Ontario’s curriculum and are connected with what your child is learning in school.
Parent's Guide to Understanding your Child's Results (2012)
A Primary resource for helping to support your child prepare for the Grade 3 EQAO standardized assessment.
Developmental Reading Assessment 2
(DRA2, 4-8)
"Reading is an interactive, problem-solving process of making meaning from texts" (Literacy for Learning, 2004, p. 61).
What is DRA2 (4-8)?
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A standardized reading assessment;
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Designed for use with students in Grades 4 to 8;
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Supports the literate classroom where students daily hear literature read aloud, read independently, respond to literature in a variety of ways, receive instruction and support in guided reading groups and / or individual reading conferences;
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Based on one-on-one conference between classroom teacher and each student;
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Provides data for classroom, school and board.
Who takes this test?
The district highly recommends the administration of an informal reading inventory to below–grade–level students at teacher discretion in grades 4–8. Fourth through eight grade teachers may administer the DRA2 to any populations of students by teacher discretion using the paper/pencil method.
Which components of the DRA2 are required to administer?
The DRA2 is a standardized assessment administered following the methods outlined in the DRA2 Teacher Guide. The classroom teacher is responsible for the administration of the DRA2 to all students. Special education resource teachers and certified staff may assist in administering the DRA2 as directed by a site administrator. Instructions on administering the DRA2 can be found in the DRA2 Teacher Guide.
TVDSB teachers are required to administer the following DRA2 sections:
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Oral Reading Fluency
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Comprehension
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Teacher Analysis: Oral Reading, Comprehension, and DRA2 Continuum
Which components of the DRA2 are optional?
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Reading Engagement. TVDSB teachers are not required to report the “Reading Engagement” section of the DRA2. However, it is strongly recommended that teachers administer the reading engagement section for their own records. This component of the assessment may help teachers become aware of a student’s reading preferences and alert teachers to students who have limited literacy experiences.
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Word Analysis. TVDSB teachers are not required to complete the “Word Analysis” assessment, which is included in the DRA2 kit as well on the DRA2 app. Teachers may administer the “Word Analysis” assessment for their own records, if desired.
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Progress Monitoring. TVDSB teachers are not required to complete the “Progress Monitoring” assessment, which is included in the DRA2 app. Teachers may administer this assessment between testing windows for their own records, if desired.
When is DRA2 (4-8) administered?
The DRA2 assessment can be used on a semi‐annual (e.g., Fall and Spring) or annual basis (e.g., Fall) to monitor and document change over time in each student’s reading.
It may be used more frequently with struggling readers to
ensure continued progress.
Testing windows are set at the local level (i.e., within the school environment).
How can families assist with DRA2 (4-8)?
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Read and reread books aloud to your child even through middle school.
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Set aside time nightly for your child to read independently.
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Talk about the books you read together and the books he/she reads independently.
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Rereading books helps to increase reading fluency.
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Encourage your child to use expression as he/she reads.
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Reading a variety of material helps to build vocabulary.
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Talk to your child about the reading strategies they learn from their reading lessons at school. Encourage them to use those when reading.
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Ask your child to write - and store in a journal, diary, file, and/or folder for future reference and use.