Assessments

Students at UTVA participate in both formal and informal assessments. Informal and formal assessments are a regular part of teaching and learning. They provide important information for students, parents and teachers about student progress and academic achievement.

DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills)

WHAT IS DIBELS?

DIBELS are a set of standardized measures for assessing the acquisition of early literacy skills from kindergarten through 3rd grade. DIBELS is comprised of six measures that function as indicators of the essential skills that every student must master to become a proficient reader.

The DIBELS measures are brief, and are used to regularly monitor the development of early literacy and early reading skills. DIBELS was designed for use in identifying students experiencing difficulty in the acquisition of basic early literacy skills, in order to provide support early and prevent the occurrence of later reading difficulties.

WHO TAKES THE DIBELS ASSESSMENT?

All students Kindergarten through 3rd grade are required to take the DIBELs assessment.

BENEFITS OF COLLECTING AND USING DIBELS DATA

· Establishes fall, winter, and spring universal screening data

· Identifies students who may be at risk for reading difficulties

· Assists teachers in identifying areas to target instructional support

· Monitors at-risk students while they receive additional, targeted instruction

· Examines the effectiveness of your school's system of instructional supports