Both Primary and Standard DRP tests consist of carefully constructed nonfiction paragraphs or passages on a variety of topics. Words have been intentionally omitted from these paragraphs and passages. Students are asked to fill the conceptual gap by selecting the correct word from a set of multiple-choice options.
Primary and Standard DRP Tests include the following features:
- All forms and levels of Primary and Standard DRP tests, from grade 1 to grade 12, measure the same construct of reading – and the new A and B series of test forms are fully compatible with all prior forms
- The criterion-referenced score scale describes what students are able to read
- DRP tests are not timed, which means slow readers are not penalized – however, most readers are able to finish a DRP test in a single class period
- Student performance can also be reported in terms of national percentiles, stanines, and Normal Curve Equivalents (NCEs)
- DRP tests enjoy broad applicability – more than 4 million are administered annually
Primary and Standard DRP test results can be used to:
- Select instructional materials
- Inform parents about their child’s reading performance
- Set performance standards
- Measure student progress
- Conduct evaluations of specific programs, such as Title I
Selecting test forms and levels often involves some degree of compromise. For continuity of measurement and to provide the most reliable assessment for the greatest number of students, the test forms center on the ability of the students in each grade.
At each testing level, parallel test forms A and B – in other words, of equal difficulty – as well as the prior J and K forms are available for pre- and post-testing. The easiest DRP test forms – J-0 and K-0 – should be used only after students have mastered decoding skills.
|
Guidelines for Selecting Primary and Standard DRP Test Forms |
|
Grade |
Fall Testing |
Spring Testing |
|
Old |
New |
Old |
New |
|
1 |
Signposts
Pre-DRP
J-P3 or
K-P3
28 items |
Signposts
Pre-DRP
J-P3 or
K-P3
28 items |
Signposts
Pre-DRP
J-P4 or
K-P4
28 items
or
Primary DRP
J0 or K0
28 items |
Signposts
Pre-DRP
J-P4 or
K-P4
28 items
or
Primary DRP
J0 or K0
28 items |
|
2 |
J-0 or K-0
28 items |
2A or 2B
42 items |
J-9 or K-9
42 items |
2A or 2B
42 items |
|
3 |
J-9 or K-9
42 items |
3A or 3B
56 items |
J-8 or K-8
56 items |
3A or 3B
56 items |
|
4 |
J-8 or K-8
56 items |
4A or 4B
63 items |
J-7 or K-7
70 items |
4A or 4B
63 items |
|
5 |
J-7 or K-7
70 items |
5A or 5B
63 items |
J-6 or K-6
70 items |
5A or 5B
63 items |
|
6 |
J-6 or K-6
70 items |
6A or 6B
63 items |
J-6 or K-6
70 items |
6A or 6B
63 items |
|
7 |
J-6 or K-6
70 items |
6A or 6B
63 items |
J-4 or K-4
70 items |
6A or 6B
63 items |
|
8 |
J-4 or K-4
70 items |
8A or 8B
63 items |
J-4 or K-4
70 items |
8A or 8B
63 items |
|
9 |
J-4 or K-4
70 items |
8A or 8B
63 items |
J-2 or K-2
70 items |
8A or 8B
63 items |
|
10-12+ |
J-2 or K-2
70 items |
10A or 10B
63 items |
J-2 or K-2
70 items |
10A or 10B
63 items |
Standard DRP tests are often administered to students by colleges or universities for one or more of the following reasons:
- To place students into adult basic education (ABE) or GED programs of study
- To place entering students in remedial or developmental reading courses
- To exempt entering students or place them into honors English
- To document student growth
For these purposes, Standard DRP Test Forms 10A, 10B, J-2, or K-2 usually will be appropriate.