Goals and Timeline
DARA uses a component approach for measuring reading proficiency that isolates individual components of reading (like comprehension or word recognition), into subtests.
This approach allows for test accommodations to be tailored to individual subtests — without affecting the validity of the entire test. It also allows for score reporting by each test component. This provides educators and parents with diagnostic feedback for instruction.
Goals
The project has four main goals:
- Develop a definition of reading proficiency
- Research the assessment of reading proficiency
- Develop research-based principles and guidelines, making large-scale reading assessments more accessible for students who have disabilities that affect their reading
- Develop and field trial a prototype reading assessment
Timeline and Tasks
| Year | Goals | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| 2004/2005 | 1 & 2 | Develop a definition of reading proficiency and begin research using operational test data |
| 2005/2007 | 2 | Conduct differential-boost study and research on new item types |
| 2007/2008 | 2 & 3 | Continue research on new item types and develop research-based principles and guidelines, making large-scale reading assessments more accessible for students who have disabilities that affect reading |
| 2008/2009 | 4 | Finalize item development and pretest items |
| 2009/2010 | 4 | Conduct large-scale field trial |