http://www.letsgolearn.com/faqs/ en rcapone@letsgolearn.com Copyright 2013 2013-05-22T05:05:12+00:00 http://www.letsgolearn.com/faqs/how_lexile_stretch_bands_and_dora_align_to_the_common_core_state_standards/ http://www.letsgolearn.com/site/how_lexile_stretch_bands_and_dora_align_to_the_common_core_state_standards/#When:05:05:12Z An Explanation of Lexile's Realignment to the Common Core State Standards and How DORA's Comprehension Sub-test Aligns to the Common Core State Standards Background:  A Lexile score is the readability level of a passage of any length based on word frequency and sentence length. Given that the CCSS are looking to prepare all students for college entrance, a simple reading level becomes a difficult measure to use.  MetaMetrics, in their desire to keep the Lexile measure up to date and relevant, realigned their Lexile scores into bands that are aligned to CCSS.  In general, they increased the range of bands aligned to each grade level and increased the score.  While this makes sense, one must realize that the Lexile reading level by itself is fundamentally limited in what it can do to predict or measure student comprehension readiness. The Comprehension Sub-test of the DORA assessment has always used multiple factors in determining its criterion-referenced threshold of mastery.  Passages are initially leveled using the Flesch-Kincaid scale, which is a similar leveling system to Lexile for establishing text readability.  Released passages developed for use in the SMART assessment are leveled using both Flesch-Kincaid and Lexile readability scales.  In addition to the preliminary Flesch-Kincaid leveling for each passage, Let’s Go Learn increases text complexity by considering issues of content complexity, content-specific vocabulary, and sentence complexity (which is different from sentence length).  As a result, Let’s Go Learn test passages are often appropriate for measuring the comprehension of a higher reading level than its Lexile level alone might suggest.  This mixed-method technique for leveling assures that each text is being evaluated both quantitatively and qualitatively for use in measuring comprehension; the mixed-methods leveling technique is also used in development of the SMART assessments. Passages increase in length as the grade level of the passages goes up.  This adds a variable into the mix:  Longer passages require a greater ability to process text, since students must retain more knowledge and process it.  Readability scales in general do not consider the length of the total passage, nor the methods used to assess comprehension. Let’s Go Learn uses only non-fiction passages to test comprehension, which by nature are more difficult to comprehend than their similarly-leveled fictional counterparts.  Let’s Go Learn also assesses comprehension differently than some other comprehension measures, which often results in reading levels that are skewed lower than other assessments, and rarely results in inflated DORA grade-level equivalencies.  Consider the following: Students must demonstrate mastery by answering correctly 67% or more of the questions associated with the passage read.  This requirement is very significant because it is a positive demonstration of comprehension mastery. Students cannot look back at the passage as they are answering questions.  This removes the “look-back” bias which, in our studies, can invalidate a comprehension measure’s validity.  Not allowing the “look-back” often makes the test of comprehension more difficult for students who are accustomed to using this technique as a test-taking strategy (see Let’s Go Learn’s paper entitled “Silent Reading Comprehension Sub-test:  Look-Backs and Reliability”). Conclusions:  The goal of the CCSI is to test students’ progressive readiness for college entrance, and DORA’s Comprehension sub-test does just that.  It is true that the Lexile bands returned by our assessment may occasionally appear lower than the CCSI-recommended Lexile bands.  This is largely because our complex system of measuring test readability takes into account more than simply the Lexile level.  The Lexile score reported by DORA is simply an equivalency of our assessment texts as measured by MetaMetrics and does not take into account the additional measures of text complexity employed by Let’s Go Learn.  In order to continue to provide teachers with the best tools for assessing students and placing them into effective reading instruction, Let’s Go Learn will now also offer a Lexile Instructional Range.  This range has been aligned using both our Lexile-leveled reading passages and the new CCSI-aligned Lexile “Stretch Bands.” Our CCSI alignment has been thoroughly vetted by reading experts, and arguably, our construct validity means DORA is more aligned to the CCSS goals than most assessments on the market in reading. Assessment FAQs, Reading Comprehension Test FAQs 2013-05-22T05:05:12+00:00 http://www.letsgolearn.com/faqs/student_growth_objectives/ http://www.letsgolearn.com/site/student_growth_objectives/#When:19:48:49Z Can DORA, ADAM, or DOMA be used for Student Growth Objectives (SGO) measurement by teachers, schools or districts?  [Note that these are also called Student Learning Objectives (SLO) or Student Growth Measures (SGM).] Absolutely, yes!  Here are the reasons: 1) DORA, ADAM, and DOMA are valid and reliable criterion-referenced assessments which measure what a student can or cannot do in multiple sub-tests of math and reading.  Thus, they can determine student starting points and ending points efficiently when used as pre- and post-tests. 2) Each of these assessments measures multiple sub-tests in reading or math, which means they are very granular and cover foundation skills that need to be measured especially for students who are multiple years behind grade level.  For example, if teachers are measured only by state standards assessments, which look at grade-level achievement, then the student who moved from 3 years behind in phonics to 1 year behind would still show up as deficient on the state standards assessment.  So it is good to have an SBO that will identify true starting points (or instructional points) and has the granularity to cover foundation skills. 3) DORA, ADAM, and DOMA are true diagnostic assessments, meaning they are not short screeners.  In general, screens’ scores will vary dramatically by one or two incorrect answers or one or two correctly guessed answers.  DORA, ADAM, and DOMA use adaptive logic to target students’ instructional points and increase diagnostic quality. 4) Results are available instantly and are accessible by teachers to monitor growth as well as for diagnostic use to personalize instruction for their students. Assessment FAQs, General FAQs 2013-05-14T19:48:49+00:00 http://www.letsgolearn.com/faqs/how_long_does_adam_k-7_take/ http://www.letsgolearn.com/site/how_long_does_adam_k-7_take/#When:16:38:33Z How long does ADAM K-7 take? This is a great question, and one we get pretty regularly from customers.  Instead of giving you our “best guess,” we analyzed 1200 student assessments to get a more precise answer for you!  Average ADAM K-7 testing times are as follows:   Kindergarten:  31 minutes 1st – 3rd:  66 minutes 4th – 6th:  112 minutes 7th – 12th:  127 minutes   We recognize that the assessment can take a long time, especially for older students.  To get a full diagnostic perspective of student performance, we ask hundreds of questions, covering five strands of math that are broken into 44 sub-tests.  We know that many students struggle to maintain focus after 30 minutes or more of concerted effort, so we encourage you to break the assessment into multiple sessions.  Students can click “Stop” at any point during the assessment and resume the test again later that day or the following day.  The assessment will pick up where the student left off, and no data will be lost. Math Assessment FAQs 2012-11-29T16:38:33+00:00 http://www.letsgolearn.com/faqs/adam_k-7_faq_for_parents/ http://www.letsgolearn.com/site/adam_k-7_faq_for_parents/#When:18:16:38Z Questions and answers about ADAM for Parents What is ADAM  K-7? ADAM  K-7 is a K-7 comprehensive, diagnostic assessment of mathematics.  Aligned with NCTM’s five content strands, as well as the Common Core Standards, ADAM K-7 thoroughly assess a student’s complete mathematical understanding, to provide a comprehensive picture of each student’s strengths and weaknesses.  Using revolutionary adaptive logic, ADAM K-7 maximizes the information obtained on each student, while minimizing test-taking time and anxiety. Why is it called ‘ADAM K-7?’ ADAM K-7 stands for Adaptive, Diagnostic Assessment of Mathematics.  In keeping with the spirit of DORA, ADAM K-7 evokes a personal character associated with the assessment, helping to create an inviting testing atmosphere and decrease test anxiety. How is ADAM K-7 organized?  In ADAM K-7, students are presented with a number of test items across a wide range of constructs.  Strands tested include:  1) Numbers and Operations; 2) Algebra; 3) Geometry; 4) Data Analysis; and 5) Measurement.  ADAM K-7 isolates students’ mastery levels across 44 subtests, in five strands, and includes critical problem solving items. Is ADAM K-7 aligned to state standards? As with all Let’s Go Learn assessment products, ADAM K-7 is aligned to all fifty state standards, as well as the McRel standards and the Common Core standards.  State Standards reports are available for all fifty states. How were assessment items developed? Under the guidance of Let’s Go Learn mathematics expert, Paul Giganti, math specialists and classroom math teachers worked to develop items in each of the 44 subtests. Who should use ADAM K-7? ADAM K-7 is appropriate for use with students in grades K-7, as well as older student whose math performance is below grade level.  ADAM K-7 offers three user interfaces, ensuring that all students are greeted by an age-appropriate interface, regardless of the items being tested. How can ADAM K-7 be used with Special Needs Students? ADAM K-7 features oral reading of the test items to eliminate any potential reading confound, ensuring that only essential math skills are being tested for all students below grade 4.  For older students, teachers may opt to adjust downward the starting grade level to reduce any initial start-of-assessment difficulty which may be experienced by students who are many years below grade level.  In addition, instructions are provided both orally and in writing, to help ensure that all students understand each assessment item. How can ADAM K-7 be used by homeschoolers? ADAM K-7’s easy-to-navigate student management system and detailed reports simplify the math evaluation process for homeschooling parents. The student management system also tracks students’ subsequent assessment scores and measures improvement.  Summary, detailed, and state standards reports are available, making it easy for homeschooling parents to use ADAM K-7 results to drive math instructional decisions.  Because ADAM K-7 can be administered by individual strand, the progress monitoring capabilities are much greater, allowing for the monitoring of student growth and progress. How is ADAM K-7 different from DOMA Basic Math Skills? More content: ADAM K-7 is a much more comprehensive math assessment, covering three additional NCTM content strands (Algebra, Geometry, and Data Analysis & Probability).  In addition, ADAM K-7 assesses content across grades K-7, while DOMA only assesses content in grades K-5.  Superior Adaptive Logic:  In addition, the adaptive logic in ADAM K-7 is an order of magnitude more advanced making ADAM K-7 more diagnostic.  While DOMA Basic Math Skills reported three sub-test scores, ADAM K-7 reports 44 sub-test scores.  More Flexibility:  The five NCTM strands of ADAM K-7 may be tested individually, allowing for more targeted assessment. How long does ADAM K-7 take to administer? It is true that ADAM K-7 is a longer assessment than DOMA. New, updated adaptive logic has been used to minimize test time and anxiety.  For Kindergartners, the assessment will take between 10 to 15 minutes.  Test time will increase as the grade level of the student goes up because more math constructs will be assessed.  Depending on the student, 6th to 7th graders on grade level may take up to a maximum of two hours, but administration may be divided over multiple sittings. 2012-06-07T18:16:38+00:00 http://www.letsgolearn.com/faqs/adam_k-7_sales_faq/ http://www.letsgolearn.com/site/adam_k-7_sales_faq/#When:18:10:38Z Questions and answers about ADAM for Educators What is ADAM  K-7? ADAM  K-7 is a K-7 comprehensive, diagnostic assessment of mathematics.  Aligned with NCTM’s five content strands, as well as the Common Core Standards, ADAM K-7 thoroughly assess a student’s complete mathematical understanding, to provide a comprehensive picture of each student’s strengths and weaknesses.  Using revolutionary adaptive logic, ADAM K-7 maximizes the information obtained on each student, while minimizing test-taking time and anxiety. Why is it called ‘ADAM K-7?’ ADAM K-7 stands for Adaptive, Diagnostic Assessment of Mathematics.  In keeping with the spirit of DORA, ADAM K-7 evokes a personal character associated with the assessment, helping to create an inviting testing atmosphere and decrease test anxiety. How is ADAM K-7 organized?  In ADAM K-7, students are presented with a number of test items across a wide range of constructs.  Strands tested include:  1) Numbers and Operations; 2) Algebra; 3) Geometry; 4) Data Analysis; and 5) Measurement.  ADAM K-7 isolates students’ mastery levels across 44 subtests, in five strands, and includes critical problem solving items. Is ADAM K-7 aligned to state standards? As with all Let’s Go Learn assessment products, ADAM K-7 is aligned to all fifty state standards, as well as the McRel standards and the Common Core standards.  State Standards reports are available for all fifty states. How were assessment items developed? Under the guidance of Let’s Go Learn mathematics expert, Paul Giganti, math specialists and classroom math teachers worked to develop items in each of the 44 subtests. Who should use ADAM K-7? ADAM K-7 is appropriate for use with students in grades K-7, as well as older student whose math performance is below grade level.  ADAM K-7 offers three user interfaces, ensuring that all students are greeted by an age-appropriate interface, regardless of the items being tested. How can ADAM K-7 be used with Special Needs Students? ADAM K-7 features oral reading of the test items to eliminate any potential reading confound, ensuring that only essential math skills are being tested for all students below grade 4.  For older students, teachers may opt to adjust downward the starting grade level to reduce any initial start-of-assessment difficulty which may be experienced by students who are many years below grade level.  In addition, instructions are provided both orally and in writing, to help ensure that all students understand each assessment item. How can ADAM K-7 be used with ELL Students? ADAM K-7 is appropriate for use with students with Low English Proficiency (LEP) and/or for whom English is a Second Language.   Written and oral instructions help to ensure that any language barrier is not a barrier for success on ADAM K-7 test items. How can ADAM K-7 be used in the classroom? ADAM K-7’s easy-to-navigate student management system and detailed reports simplify the evaluation and sharing of information with parents, tutors, teachers, and specialists. The student management system also tracks students’ subsequent assessment scores and measures improvement.  Summary, detailed, and state standards reports are available. How can ADAM K-7 be implemented at a school-wide or district-wide level? ADAM K-7’s web-based platform allows for practical school or district-wide deployment of assessments, leading to dramatic reading score improvement, the enrichment of mathematics programs, and time and cost savings.  ADAM K-7 reports deliver accurate measures of student progress and standards achievement to schools and districts. Is ADAM K-7 appropriate for use with adult learners? Because of the secondary-level interface available, ADAM K-7 is absolutely appropriate for use with adult learners. How is ADAM K-7 different from DOMA Basic Math Skills? More content: ADAM K-7 is a much more comprehensive math assessment, covering three additional NCTM content strands (Algebra, Geometry, and Data Analysis & Probability).  In addition, ADAM K-7 assesses content across grades K-7, while DOMA only assesses content in grades K-5.  Superior Adaptive Logic:  In addition, the adaptive logic in ADAM K-7 is an order of magnitude more advanced making ADAM K-7 more diagnostic.  While DOMA Basic Math Skills reported three sub-test scores, ADAM K-7 reports 44 sub-test scores.  More Flexibility:  The five NCTM strands of ADAM K-7 may be tested individually, allowing for more targeted assessment. How long does ADAM K-7 take to administer? It is true that ADAM K-7 is a longer assessment than DOMA. New, updated adaptive logic has been used to minimize test time and anxiety.  For Kindergartners, the assessment will take between 10 to 15 minutes.  Test time will increase as the grade level of the student goes up because more math constructs will be assessed.  Depending on the student, 6th to 7th graders on grade level may take up to a maximum of two hours, but administration may be divided over multiple sittings.  How can ADAM K-7 be used for progress monitoring? Because ADAM K-7 can be administered by individual strand, the progress monitoring capabilities are much greater, allowing teachers to focus assessment to classroom instruction.  This changes significantly the way in which ADAM K-7 can be used as a tool across districts, schools, and in classrooms. Math Assessment FAQs 2012-06-07T18:10:38+00:00 http://www.letsgolearn.com/faqs/how_does_lets_go_learn_determine_standards_mastery/ http://www.letsgolearn.com/site/how_does_lets_go_learn_determine_standards_mastery/#When:17:01:38Z It is important to first differentiate between content standards and performance standards.  Content standards are the type of standards adopted by states or localities to identify what a student should know and be able to do.  Performance standards are measures of how well a student is meeting the content standards; they may be informal classroom observations, rubrics, or even more formal assessments.  Let’s Go Learn’s DORA and DOMA provide, essentially, criterion-referenced (scores that are provided in an accepted unit, in this case, grade levels) performance standard measurements.  In order to create the State Standards reports, LGL’s performance standard measures must be aligned to the specific content standards, which can differ widely by state. For the State Standards reports, Let’s Go Learn uses teams of credentialed reading and math specialists to align state content standards to the performance measures used by DORA and DOMA.  Because of the adaptive nature of DORA and DOMA, the alignment procedures differ based on the subtest specifications.  Alignment protocol also varies from state to state, as there is no accepted norm for the format of state content standards. Mastery of state standards, as reported on the State Standards Reports, is based on mastery levels in DORA and DOMA.  Mastery is determined by the mastery of each corresponding construct or subtest aligned to the standard.  At times, performance on a construct of leveled test items is aligned to the content standards.  For example, in DOMA, the performance on construct 24 (Multi-digit addition) of the Numbers subtest would be aligned directly to state standards addressing that particular skill.  At other times, the overall performance on a subtest is aligned to the content standards.  For example, in DORA, student performance on the High Frequency Words subtest would be aligned directly to state reading/language arts standards.  DORA mastery ranges from 66% to 75%, depending on the number of items within the construct or subtest, which usually varies from 3 to 10 items, depending on the complexity of the construct and the how many items the student sees, as controlled by Let’s Go Learn’s adaptive logic.  Finally, it is important to remember that DORA and DOMA are not norm-referenced, standardized tests, nor are they summative state benchmark tests.  The formative, diagnostic nature of Let’s Go Learn’s assessments, however, does make them well suited for alignment to state content standards, though the assessments may not represent the full scale of each state’s individual standards. General FAQs, Reports FAQs 2011-12-01T17:01:38+00:00 http://www.letsgolearn.com/faqs/how_does_unique_math_compare_to_the_new_lgl_pre-algebra_edge_and_lgl_algebr/ http://www.letsgolearn.com/site/how_does_unique_math_compare_to_the_new_lgl_pre-algebra_edge_and_lgl_algebr/#When:20:35:38Z Unique Math is a differentiated instructional product based on the DOMA Basic Math Skills assessment.  Students complete DOMA BMS and then are placed into online instruction.  The LGL Edge Series is similarly based on diagnostic assessments.  But LGL Pre-Algebra Edge is based on the DOMA Pre-Algebra assessment, and LGL Algebra Edge is based on DOMA Algebra.  Both Unique Math and the LGL Edge Series use third-party instruction licensed by Let's Go Learn.  This combination provides a powerful instructional tool that differentiates instruction for each student.  The nature of each product's instructional content varies considerably. Unique Math is intended for a younger audience.  And the LGL Edge Series is designed for an older audience.  In addition, the instructional approach varies slightly.  Both use a multi-media approach to engage students and provide explicit instruction.  The LGL Edge Series, however, is a more modern product that uses music, pop-culture themes, and a game-like interface to engage and encourage students through each lesson.  The comparison chart below will help you compare features and understand the differences in these products.  Ask a Specialist 2011-03-01T20:35:38+00:00 http://www.letsgolearn.com/faqs/how_does_unique_reader_compare_to_the_new_lgl_reading_edge_and_lgl_comprehe/ http://www.letsgolearn.com/site/how_does_unique_reader_compare_to_the_new_lgl_reading_edge_and_lgl_comprehe/#When:19:33:38Z Unique Reader is a differentiated instructional product based on the DORA reading assessment.  Students complete DORA and are then placed automatically into online instruction.  The LGL Edge Series is similarly based on the DORA reading assessment.  Both Unique Reader and the LGL Edge Series use third-party instruction licensed by Let's Go Learn.  This combination provides a powerful instructional tool that differentiates instruction for each student.  The nature of each product's instructional content varies considerably. Unique Reader is intended for a younger audience.  And LGL Edge Series in designed to meet the instructional needs of an older audience.  In addition, the instructional approach varies slightly.  Both use multi-media to engage students and provide explicit instruction.  The LGL Edge Series, however, is a more modern product that uses music, pop-culture themes, and a game-like interface to engage and encourage students through each lesson.  The comparison chart below will help you compare features and understand the differences in these products. Ask a Specialist 2011-03-01T19:33:38+00:00 http://www.letsgolearn.com/faqs/why_doesnt_lgl_provide_formulas_for_geometry_questions_in_doma_pre-algebra/ http://www.letsgolearn.com/site/why_doesnt_lgl_provide_formulas_for_geometry_questions_in_doma_pre-algebra/#When:18:39:38Z We have chosen NOT to include formulas because some parts of the country require students to have memorized them for high stakes assessment, and some provide them.  If we provide the formulas, than the parts of the country that still require memorization do not get an accurate assessment of student knowledge.  Teachers may choose, however, to provide students with formulas if their district does not require students to memorize them. Math Assessment FAQs 2009-11-18T18:39:38+00:00 http://www.letsgolearn.com/faqs/why_are_the_fluency_passages_fiction/ http://www.letsgolearn.com/site/why_are_the_fluency_passages_fiction/#When:18:29:38Z When we designed the fluency passages, we chose fiction because generally we expect fiction to be more conversational than non-fiction, with more dialogue, and would lend itself more diagnostically to analyzing prosody.  Furthermore, with fictional fluency passages and non-fiction used in the comprehension subtest, DORA addresses the unique reading differences between fiction and non-fiction, making it a more robust assessment. Assessment FAQs 2009-11-18T18:29:38+00:00