Reading Assessment Survival Guide for Teachers: Running Records Hacks

Holy assessments! Yes, report cards have to be finished in ONE WEEK! And to boot, during the week that should be the most fun EVER with Dr. Seuss activities! Blah! Over the years, I have found lots of survival tricks for staying organized with my assessments and data. I am here today to talk about surviving the DRA!

I pretty much dread DRA time because it takes so much time away from instruction. I have 28 second graders many of whom are reading at or above grade level. The higher the level, the longer the test is. To find a student's the exact level, often numerous tests have to be given! If you are like me, you may feel like the DRA is taking over your entire day! It can be overwhelming, especially for new teachers.  

The plus side is that the chance to assess one on one like this gives us so much valuable information and this is great to share with parents at conferences and to guide our instruction. We also administer two other reading assessments, so it seems like the testing goes on forever!

Tips for Time Management:

• start testing students earlier than you think you should
• test your strongest readers first
• higher level tests involve lengthy written responses so have the students do them during your writing block if possible
• give the rest of the students meaningful but quiet tasks so the test-takers can focus and you are not interrupted
• test only one or two students a day so you can continue to teach
• if using a data program, bring your computer or iPad to the testing table and enter data at the same time
• have your grade book handy and mark the report card if possible too
• be ready with multiple copies of the testing forms and stories within reach
• take only brief notes rather than writing every word of every response given
• read all of the stories yourself as the student reads so you know what the correct responses should be

  Organization:

• score tests ASAP so you don't forget the details of student responses
• print a chart to record scores
• have previous scores at a glance 
• tape record the session if possible to come back to
• write notes for talking points at conferences and areas to work on with your student on a sticky note or in a chart
• keep the tests organized in a student portfolio or other file
• use sticky notes to mark the tests SCORED and To Be SCORED...
• have students write their name on any loose pages and staple them immediately when finished
• keep your testing station set up in a place where your things will not have to be moved each day

We also administer two other reading assessments, a writing assessment and several math tests at the same time, so good organization and time management is the key to my sanity!

I hope you found some good ideas here to take back with you!