Explanation of K-2 Literacy

Today, Mrs. Deep explained and showed me the K-2 Literacy Program. For the previous meetings, she was only able to give me the deminsions and the scores from the prior year's students. However, this week she has been testing the students on the K-2 Literacy Program. I came while she was testing a first grade student. Mrs. Deep and her parapro sit at the table with the students while they take a test. This means that only two students can take a test at a time, which makes this process very time consuming. The students wear head phones and listen to the questions and prompt. Then, they point at the answer choice that they want to select, and Mrs. Deep or Mrs. Dickerson, the parapro, select the answer choice for them. This ensures that the test shows accurate responses and that the test is not just a reflection of their computer or technology skills. Most students in K-2 do not have much access to technology at the school. Therefore, allowing them to test by themselves would create underlying issues that would reflect on their performance.

The test consists of 27 questions. The rabbit in the top right hand corner of the screen read the questions to them. When the ears are up, the rabbit is reading and talking. When the ears are down, he is not talking. If the student wants to listen to the rabbit again, they would point to the rabbit and Mrs. Deep or Mrs. Dickerson would click on the rabbit. Kindergarten takes the K-2 literacy test 2 times each year. Once in September and again in April. Both 1st and 2nd grade only take the K-2 Literacy test once a year in October. The teachers use the data produced, dimensions that the students are weak and strong in, to help modify their lessons and help identify areas each student needs to work on during intervention. Also, any second graders that still score BR (Beginning Reader) are identified and are given reading fluency building tasks within the program.



I assisted a student in taking her test. It took a LONG time! I learned that a media specialist must set aside more time for younger students compared to older students. I also noticed that the younger students are a lot more dependent on you as a media specialist to take care of any issues. During the test, the rabbit apparently was not talking when I clicked on him. The student looked at me as if to say "FIX IT!!!". While re-positioning in her seat, she accidentally pulled on her ear phones and they came loose. I fixed it and she looked at me with a huge grin and a gave me a nod. She was too cute!