Assessments
Degrees of Reading Power (DRP): The DRP assessment is a direct measure of reading comprehension. It is administered in June of each year to all students grades in 2-10. It is also administered in the fall to all new students and students who attended summer school. The information that is provided to both parents and teachers provides information about student reading abilities.
Primary Assessment of Literacy Skills (PALS): The PALS are a comprehensive literacy assessment administered to all students in grades Pre-K through 2. The components of the PALS include: letter identification, high frequency words, Concept of Print, dictation, listening, speaking, writing rubrics, and editing tasks. This assessment is given twice a year to all students. The PALS are administered in both English and Spanish.
Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) and Evaluación del Desarrollo de la Lectura (EDL): The DRA and the Spanish equivalent, the EDL, is an individually administered reading assessment to all students in grades Pre-K through 2. It provides teachers with an instructional reading level for all students. This assessment, along with the PALS, provides a guide for teachers to plan for instruction, identify supports and interventions, and document reading progress over time.
Individual Reading Inventory (IRI): The IRI is also an individually administered reading assessment that is administered to students in grades 3-5. It provides teachers with a reading level for all students. The assessment is given once a year in the fall and twice a year to students who are identified as being at risk. The IRI provides a guide for teachers to plan instruction, identify strengths and weaknesses, and monitor growth.
New York State English Language Arts Assessment (NYSELA): The NYSELA assessment is administered to all students in grades 3–8. The assessments are based on the explicit State Learning Standards and the core curriculum; the content of the tests should mirror the instruction being provided in the classrooms.
New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT): The NYSLESLAT is administered to all English Language Learners (ELLs) from kindergarten through grade 12 every year to measure their English language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing and track their annual progress toward proficiency. NYSESLAT helps schools determine which instructional standards they must focus on to ensure that English Language Learners fully acquire the language proficiency that will prepare them for success in the classroom.