Teachers, what is DAR testing and what should I do with the information?

[caseylouandtyler2]

Teachers,

My DD is in Kindergarten and currently having DAR testing done. I know it is reading testing, but what am I supposed to do with the test result information?

In November DD tested at level 3, could read it with no problem, just wouldn't retell the story to the teacher. This week her teacher is testing again for end of year, so far she is at level 20 and is not finished testing. The teacher is beaming and very excited so I know this must be good. How does this testing affect DD's education?

Thanks for listening and any help is very much appreciated.

 

[kasar]

Well, I'm not a teacher but I've been volunteering in our school to help "level" ALL the books in the school to fit in with DAR testing. Here's what I've pieced together: DAR testing involves having every child tested and placed at a certain reading level. Then, they're supposed to have books at every level available for the children to read during independent reading time (both fiction and non-fiction).

The purpose of this is to ensure that children aren't reading books that are too easy or too hard for them. Once they've mastered that level, the teacher should encourage them to move up a level. It's based on the Fountas-Pinell or Reading Recovery levels (you can do a quick google search and get lots of info on these).

In a perfect world this sounds like it makes a whole lot of sense. But I can tell you, it's only as good as the books you have, the training of the teachers and the willingness of the school to really follow through. We've set up a beautiful "levelled library" at our school which the teachers can choose books from. I sure hope they're doing it after all that work! (Going on 3 YEARS!)

I'm just a parent so I have no idea what the levels really mean or what's expected at each grade. I'm sure some teachers will be able to enlighten you!