Thank you Rosalind and others who have responded to my inquiry about the
DAR.

Actually, the nifl reading profiles website was the impetus for the
inquiry.
Our instructors have been reviewing the mini test and learner profiles,
and in the process have
noticed that the DAR assesses many reading components that the current
reportable
tests do not.  
If, as you suggest, the new version DAR might meet reporting standards,
it would be
something well worth looking into. Is anyone else using the DAR as a
supplement to
reportable tests?

Thank you
Karen

Karen Layton, M.Ed.
Instructional Manager, Technology and Distance Education
Center for Adult Literacy & Basic Workforce Development
Northampton Community College
570-688-9173
klayton at northampton.edu


>>> davidsro at gse.harvard.edu 11/21/2005 12:07 PM >>>

The interactive reading assessment website,
www.nifl.gov/readingprofiles, 
has been developed on data from the Adult Reading Component Study
(ARCS). 
The study of 955 adult learners enrolled in adult education centers in

several states is described on this website.

You will find descriptions of the DAR subtests at
http://www.nifl.gov/readingprofiles/FT_Match_Intro.htm 

We continue to use the DAR as the main assessment of reading skills of

learners coming to our adult reading lab.  It is an excellent test that

gives information on a readers strengths and needs on the major reading

skills.

A second version of the DAR will be published soon so that the test
will 
have a pre and post Form and will then satisfy NRS test requirements. 
The 
DAR is an Indepenndent Reading Inventory, and as with other IRIs (see
the 
website Test Bank), the DAR can give information to aid teachers in 
planning a learner's instruction.




Rosalind Davidson, Ed.D.
Research Associate/Lecturer
National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy
Harvard University Graduate School of Education
Nichols House - Appian Way
Cambridge, MA 02138
tel:(617) 496-8952
fax: (617) 495-4811
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