C&I RtA Updates

DIBELS 8th edition North Carolina continues to move forward with providing our youngest readers with research and evidence-based literacy instruction aligned with the Science of Reading. The state procurement process determined and approved Amplify as the vendor for the NC K-3 formative and diagnostic reading assessment. Amplify provides mCLASS, which uses DIBELS 8th Edition, as the assessment tool for all K-3 students enabling teachers to automate scoring and receive instant targeted instructional recommendations. mCLASS includes benchmark assessments and ongoing progress monitoring to comprehensively support each student’s literacy development with foundational skills assessments, comprehension assessments, and dyslexia screening assessments.

DIBELS 8th Edition fulfills legislative requirements for K-3 students with sub test measures for:

● Phonemic awareness

● Phonics

● Fluency

● Vocabulary

● Comprehension

As part of the implementation of mCLASS with DIBELS 8th Edition for the 21-22 school year, all North Carolina educators will have access to a self-paced online course as a support for a successful implementation and to serve as a resource throughout the school year. You will not be able to create an account or access the course until July 7, 2021.

To create an account click the LINK, enter your name and email, create a password, click sign up, and bookmark the course.

It will be important to use a consistent log-in once you start the course so that you can

generate a completion certificate.

Upon completion participants will be able to:

● Explain how mCLASS with DIBELS 8th Edition assesses the basic early literacy skills required for students to become proficient readers.

● Administer and score mCLASS with DIBELS 8th Edition assessment measures for their grade level according to standardized guidelines.

● Interpret student data and identify students’ instructional needs.

● Access targeted skills-focused lessons available in mCLASS DIBELS 8th Edition to plan differentiated instruction.

● Generate a certificate of completion.

Please note the state is NOT using or receiving the Text Reading Comprehension (TRC) assessments for K-3 students beginning the 2021-2022 school year. DIBELS 8th Edition is a comprehensive assessment aligned to the science of reading. Six subtests are included within DIBELS 8th Edition and they are designed to assess component skills involved in reading. The subtests change across grades in a manner that parallels student development and instructional foci.

For the above reasons, the state will begin using DIBELS 8 data for EVAAS purposes effective 21-22 from BOY-EOY for all K-2 teachers. Third grade will continue to use BOG-EOG for EVAAS.

MGSD still plans to use the monthly iSIP as another data point for students. It will also continue to be a great way to see historical data on our students and monitor their progress.

Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling, which is a product of Voyager Sopris Learning, Inc. (VSL, Inc.)

“LETRS addresses four critical outcomes for effective literacy instruction: understanding the science of reading, converting research to practice, enhancing teacher effectiveness, and transforming instruction. By understanding the “why” behind science and evidence-based research, educators can effectively know how to aid students in learning to read.”

Take a deeper look in the brochure linked below and/or the video.

from LETRS Overview Brochure

The following personnel are required to participate in LETRS® training:

• homeroom classroom teachers working with pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students, including CTE preschool teachers,

• one administrator per school who will support/evaluate for alignment,

• Lead teachers working with children in the NC Pre-K program and onsite administrator (including NC Pre-K in child care and Head Start settings)

MGSD is in Cohort 1: Summer 2021 – Spring 2023: Educators will begin in the summer of 2021 by completing the

online portion of Unit 1, approximately an 8-hour time commitment. At the start of the 2021-2022

school year, educators will complete the Unit 1 Bridge to Practice activities in the classroom with

students before moving forward to the next units. The MGSD PreK-6 C&I Team will be providing more information as we receive it from DPI.

Unit 1 Focus: The Challenge of Learning to Read

• Why reading is difficult

• The connection between language and literacy

• What the brain does when a person is reading

• The skills that support proficient reading

• How children learn to read and spell

• Major types of reading difficulties

• How to use assessment for prevention and early intervention

• Using assessment to differentiate instruction

In an effort to continue to provide you real-time information, the Office of Early Learning (OEL) is providing several FAQ documents to address specific questions pertaining to RtA Legislation, LETRS, Amplify Assessments, and Charter Schools. The FAQ documents may be found on the OEL webpage. The current documents are in their initial stages, yet will continue to be updated regularly as we have more answers to your questions.