Week 9 Assignment #3 Compare/ Contrast QRI-5 & DIBELS

QRI-5 & DIBELS

   Qualitative Reading Inventory (QRI-5) is an individually administered kindergarten to twelfth grade informal reading inventory (IRI) that provides information on two distinct reading markers. The first is the conditions under which students can identify words and comprehend text successfully and secondly, evidence that marks unsuccessful word recognition or comprehension. It use a variety of Narrative passages as well as Expository texts, graded word lists, retelling, questioning, look backs and think aloud to assess oral/silent reading and listening ability. The purpose of this informal assessment is to find students independent, instructional and frustrational reading levels and to provide valuable diagnostics. It also helps to document student growth, group students for guided reading, choosing appropriate books for literacy circles,reading workshops and independent reading.

   Dynamic Indicator of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) is a formal, standardize tools for assessment that educators use to measure, monitor and provide intervention for many students. It is a series of short (one minute) test that are used in kindergarten to sixth grade, to regularly monitor the development of literacy and reading skills such as phonemic awareness, alphabetic principles, accuracy and fluency. DIBELS helps teachers to identify students who may need extra literacy instruction early and then provide help for them to become proficient.

Similarities

   Both the QRI:5 and DIBELS are assessments tools that are administered in the child’s natural classroom setting, to inform teacher about the child’s literacy, fluency and comprehension strengths or deficits. Moreover, both assessments provide information for future instructional design that are solely based on the needs of the students. Finally, both of these assessments can be used to monitor and track student progress.

Difference

   One of the biggest difference I noticed between the QRI-5 and DIBELS is that these tools assess different grade levels. The QRI-5 assesses student literacy from Kindergarten through twelfth grade,while DIBELS assesses students in the earlier grades, Kindergarten through sixth grade. Moreover, QRI-5 is an untimed assessment that focuses on how well a student can identify words and comprehend an entire text while DIBELS is a timed assessment that breaks down the specific types of literacy skills needed in various grades by letting students read a part of a text for one minute. Another difference between these two assessment tools is that the QRI-5 is not a standardized assessment tool, it is more informal and all results are dependant on the individual student, where as DIBELS is standardized, and results are compared to a larger group of students at the same grade level. 

Classroom Use

   Both DIBELS and QRI-5 are essential tools that can be used in my classroom to better understand the literacy needs of my students. The QRI-5 assessment can be used to assess reading levels and comprehension skills while the results from DIBELS can be used to help teachers make decisions regarding lesson planning, grouping and differentiated instruction. Moreover, because DIBELS results are comparative to other students as a teacher I will be able to focus on individual student scores and provide individual help for struggling students and also, I will be able to use the average scores of the group to help me determine the approach I need to take with the entire class.