WHAT IS DORA???

Now that the school year is in full swing, we will be asking that your student be tested in our computer lab in a reading (DORA) and math (DOMA) assessment.  We test all students at the beginning of the year and at the end to see the growth made throughout the year.  After your student finishes his/her test, they will come meet you with a report in hand.  That report is for you to go over and recognize the strengths and weaknesses of your student.  Some of you  might be wondering what all those little symbols and letters mean on the  report.  So here is the rundown on the categories being tested on for DORA:

HFW – High Frequency Words: score range is mid Kindergarten to high 3rd grade.
WR – Word Recognition: score range is mid Kindergarten to high 12^th grade.
PH – Phonics/Word Analysis:   score range is low Kindergarten to high 4^th grade.
PA – Phonemic Awareness:   scores as a percentage.
SP – Spelling: score range is mid Kindergarten to high 12^th grade.
VO – Word Meaning Sub-test/Oral Vocabulary:  mid Kindergarten to high 12^th grade.
CO – Silent Reading sub-test/Comprehension:  score range is mid Kindergarten to high 12^th grade.

and for DOMA:

Numbers Skills:   maximum score high 5^th grade.
Fractions Skills:   maximum score high 5^th grade.
Measurement Strand: maximum score mid 5^th grade.

The reports give further explanations on what each skill means and what your student knows and what you should be working on with them.  Use the reports as a tool, let them guide you this fall into setting attainable goals with your student, in hopes of skyrocketing those scores and helping our students become confident and excited learners!