1. An exposition by Stephanie Stevens

2. What is DIBELS? DIBELS stands for Dynamic Indicators of Basic Literacy Skills. It is a form of assessment that is used across the country. DIBELS assesses early literacy skills in students from Kindergarten to sixth grade.

3. Where did it start? DIBELS began in in the late 1980s as a result of research conducted at the University of Oregon. DIBELS is modeled after measurement procedures for Curriculum-Based Measurement through the Institute for Research and Learning and the University of Minnesota

4. Why use DIBELS? DIBELS is used as an early indicator of risk for students whose skills are not developed to their age/grade expectations. DIBELS can also be used as an evaluation of effectiveness of instruction.

5. How does DIBELS work? DIBELS assessments are usually conducted three times a year, depending upon the grade. There are different benchmarks for each grade level. The scores from the assessments determine if the student is at risk, has some risk or low risk.

6. What’s the breakdown? Core Program—80% or more of students reach reading goals Supplemental Program— Around 15% of students receive support to address specific skill areas Intervention Program— Around 5% of students receive intensive support due to performing below grade level

7. What skills do DIBELS assess? “DIBELS [is] designed to specifically assess the core components of reading: Phonological Awareness, Alphabetic Principle, Accuracy and Fluency with Connected Text, Vocabulary, and Comprehension.” --DIBELS Data System dibels.uoregon.edu

8. Measures of Phonemic Awareness: ◦Initial Sound Fluency (ISF) ◦Phonemic Segmentation Fluency (PSF) Measure of Alphabetic Principle and Phonics: ◦Nonsense Word Fluency (NWF) ◦Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) Measure of Accuracy and Fluency with Connected Text ◦Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) Measure of Comprehension ◦Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) Measure of Vocabulary and Oral Language ◦Word Use Fluency (WUF)

9. How are DIBELS tests administered? Stories/passages read Assessments administered three times per academic year Data collected & evaluated RTI is implemented as necessary

10. Example of DIBELS test for Kindergarten

11. DIBELS measures administered through the grades.

12. Criticisms of DIBELS

13. Affects of NCLB DIBELS vs. OSELA DIBELS as part of Reading First Grants

15. Referenced Materials Assessment Programs. (2006). Retrieved March 30, 2009, from The Florida Center for Reading Research: http://www.fcrr.org/assessment.htm http://www.fcrr.org/assessment.htm Cole, G. [DIBELS cartoons]. (2006). Retrieved March 31, 2009 from Susan Ohanian.org. http://www.susanohanian.org/cartoons.htmlDessoff, Alan (August 2007). http://www.susanohanian.org/cartoons.html DIBELS Draws Doers & Doubters. District Administration: The Magazine of School District Management, Retrieved April 1, 2009, from http://www.districtadministration.com/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=1245&p=3http://www.districtadministration.com/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=1245&p=3 DIBELS Data System. (n.d.). Retrieved March 10, 2009, from Official DIBELS Homepage: https://dibels.uoregon.edu/ https://dibels.uoregon.edu/ Galgano, S. (2009, March 12). Reading Interventions. Retrieved March 26, 2009, from Ceasar Rodney's Elementary Web Site: http://www.teachers.cr.k12.de.us/~galgano/dibel2.htmhttp://www.teachers.cr.k12.de.us/~galgano/dibel2.htm Li, Xiaoping and Zhang, Mingyuan. (2008). Reconciling DIBELS and OSELA: What Every Childhood Educator Should Know. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 41-51. Hall, T., & Mengel, M. (2002). Curriculum-based evaluations. National Center on Accessing the General Curriculum. Motley, E.--. E. (n.d.). Elementary News. Retrieved March 26, 2009, from Welcome to Macon R-1: http://www.macon.k12.mo.us/Elementary/index.html http://www.macon.k12.mo.us/Elementary/index.html Petschar, D. (2009, March 27). Principal, Woodland Elementary School, Kingsford MI. (S. Stevens, Interviewer) Howard, Pat and Fisher, Stacey. (2003, February 22). Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved March 31, 2009, from The Florida Center for Reading Research: http://www.fcrr.org/assessment/pdf/faqs/FAQRevised0706.pdf http://www.fcrr.org/assessment/pdf/faqs/FAQRevised0706.pdf