Transcript DIBELS - Stephanie Stevens

An exposition by
Stephanie Stevens
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.
What is
DIBELS?
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
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.
Why use DIBELS?
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.
How does
DIBELS work?
•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
What’s the breakdown?
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

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)
How are DIBELS
tests administered?
 Stories/passages
read
 Assessments administered three
times per academic year
 Data collected & evaluated
 RTI is implemented as necessary
Example of DIBELS test
for Kindergarten
DIBELS measures administered
through the grades.
Criticisms of
DIBELS
Affects of NCLB
DIBELS vs.
OSELA
 DIBELS as part
of Reading
First Grants

Referenced Materials

Assessment Programs. (2006). Retrieved March 30, 2009, from The Florida Center for Reading Research:
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).

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=3

DIBELS Data System. (n.d.). Retrieved March 10, 2009, from Official DIBELS Homepage:
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.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

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