[LIT] Middle School Reading Levels and book selection

[TLP]

--- Barbara Punchak <bpunchak at verizon.net> wrote:

> How does your MIDDLE SCHOOL determine incoming
> reading levels for your 6th
> graders?  
>
This is a repost but our school uses a multiple choice
computerized test to determine reading ability. I must
say however, it has been fairly accurate. However, 
I am afraid that in light of the current need for
numbers and "accountability," books that are strong on
content lose out to those with higher lexile levels. (
See previous post) This is because a popular new test
developed by the Northwest Evaluation Association
called Measures of Academic Progress (MAP), "a state-
aligned computerized adaptive assessment program that
provides educators with the information they need to
improve teaching and learning. Educators use the
growth and achievement data from MAP to develop
targeted instructional strategies and to plan school
improvement. With the ability to test students up to
four times a year, MAP test results help educators
make student-focused, data-driven decisions."  (
NWEA.org)

This test allows a student's lexile reading to be
measured in the fall and the spring. the idea is to
give students material to improve their lexile score
and thus showing growth. 

While I know that I will choose a book by a number of
methods, the most important being those wonderful
media specialists, word of mouth
and my own incessant need to read, schools are vetoing
books presented by teachers in favor of lexile levels.
I know I am not the only school to see this happen

Tena


 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Never miss an email again!
Yahoo! Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives.
http://tools.search.yahoo.com/toolbar/features/mail/