DAR™-2

The DAR-2 assesses students' relative strengths and weaknesses in key areas of student learning in reading. Teachers may use the DAR-2 to identify areas in which struggling readers need help. The DAR-2 consists of two forms (A and B) that test nine components of reading and language: Print awareness, phonological awareness, letters and sounds, word recognition, word analysis, oral reading accuracy and fluency, silent reading comprehension, spelling, and word meaning.

The DAR-2 comes in a complete, multilevel format. It features simultaneous administration and scoring, providing immediate feedback about each student's strengths and weaknesses in reading and enabling teachers to quickly apply the results to instructional strategies for improving student skills. The DAR-2 can be used to:

• Assess students' relative strengths and weaknesses in key areas of reading.
• Provide an in-depth analysis of students' reading proficiency.
• Provide information on the needs of students in adult literacy programs.
• Identify causes of reading difficulties.
• Identify individuals or small or large groups who would benefit from Reading First and Title I instruction.
• Provide teachers with diagnostic information to plan individual or group reading instruction.

Features and benefits

• Evaluates reading achievement at all levels with one classroom kit.
• Identifies areas of difficulty for struggling readers in 40 minutes or less.
• Assesses all five components of an effective Reading First program–phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary development, reading fluency, and reading comprehension.
• Can be used in Title I, special education, adult literacy, or reading placement programs.
• The Interpretive Profile helps synthesize information about individual student achievement.
• Fluency rating is now a part of the Oral Reading test.
• Kits include uses of Trial Teaching Strategies (TTS), an online resource that offers short lessons to address a student's reading needs.