DIBELS

Girl laying on flloor with book.DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) is a widely used screening and monitoring tool. The tool, although individually administered, gives a quick look at the elements of reading that scientific research says must be addressed for effective reading instruction (and learning to read). DIBELS provides a way to identify children quickly who are at risk for early reading failure, and to provide a way to monitor student progress throughout the year and to evaluate the success of reading interventions.

Guidelines for USD 259 K-5 DIBELS Administration for 2008-2009:

Who will be screened? 
Every kindergarten through 2nd grade student will be screened individually. Approximate time per student averages 3-5 minutes. Special Ed. Students with IEPs that state they should take the Kansas Alternate Assessment need not take DIBELS.

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When and how often will students be screened?
Every K-2 student will be screened at least 3 times this school year during the designated DIBELS benchmark windows:

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What will be screened? What materials will be provided (and when)?
Teachers will screen each student according to the subtests chart found on the cover of the DIBELS benchmark booklet for their grade level.

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How will the students' scores be entered onto the website?
Each teacher will be scoring and recording student information on the front of his/her students' booklets according to their training information. Then, each school will have a designated DIBELS coordinator who will enter all student screening information onto the website. Training and support will be provided for each building’s coordinator in 3 half-day training sessions.

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Do we have to administer this test to SPED students or does the SPED teacher give it? Or are there other tests that take the place of this test? Students receiving Special Education services will be taking the DIBELS. The teacher responsible for reading instruction should be the one to administer the test.

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Can we administer tests earlier than the DIBELS Benchmark testing period?
No, screening should occur during the identified administration window.

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Will 2nd grade be administering Jerry Johns this year?
DIBELS is now the required measure for reporting the number of 2nd grade students reading on grade level for the State of Kansas.  After screening all 2nd grade students with DIBELS, teachers can gain further information on students by administering the Jerry Johns diagnostic assessment to those considered At Risk.  They are not required to administer the Jerry Johns to all students, just those At Risk.

Can you administer the DIBELS nonsense test and the Jerry Johns sight word list during the same administering test time?
It is recommended that teachers administer one tool, then the other and not co-mingle the tools.

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Does the student take all benchmark subtests on the same day?
Not necessarily. If not, how far apart should they be given? All subtests for all students must be given within the benchmark window, but a teacher may choose to screen all students on one subtest then move to another subtest with all students OR give all subtests to each student before moving to another student.

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What do I do with the rest of my class while I am administering the test?
Some possibilities might include: teaming with another teacher; using library time; having a coop assist with the class; or, having learning centers and asking a volunteer to assist - the DIBELS would be a center.

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Can directions be given to the entire class at the same time? 
No, this is an individually administered tool including the directions.

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Will the letter naming test be changed to D'Nealian? Can teachers change it? No.

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Can we practice the segmentation before we give it so that the students know what is expected?
Practice in segmentation should be standard classroom instructional practice, so no intentional practice for this tool should be necessary.

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If a student discontinued at the first line would it be possible to test again? Yes, but only after the appropriate instructional support occurs.

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With mobile students, will their data travel with them or should they be re | tested at the new building?
Because the student information is web-based, the information will travel with the student. Students who move to different schools within the district do not need to be retested when they enter the new school as long as they have testing data on file. It is imperative that a student is exited from and entered into sites in a timely fashion so that his/her enrollment information will be available to the receiving teacher for use. Students who are new to the district should be screened within the first week of entry into your school.

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Is the scoring information intended to be shared with parents at conference time?
Should a teacher have concerns based on the first screening, parents should be made aware of the concerns and provided with ways to help at home. Under no circumstances, however, should parents receive student information without discussions about how instruction is supporting student needs.

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Where can I get additional testing booklets?
Please order any materials you may need from the Print Shop. The order form can be downloaded here: Print Shop Order Form

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Where can I order extra timers?
Dynamic Measurement Group ($8.95) http://www.dibels.org/stopwatches.html

Really Great Reading ($11.50) http://rgrco.com/fluencytimer/index.html

Who do I call for help?
First, contact your school coordinator. Should you need additional information or clarifications, you may contact the following:

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