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Quantitative Growth
TRC Overview
The mClass: Reading 3D Text Reading Comprehension Assessment also known as the TRC assessment is a literacy assessment that measures students’ reading comprehension level. The TRC assessment uses a running record to assess student comprehension while reading leveled texts. This assessment provides teachers with a clear understanding of each students’ reading development by analyzing the types of errors students make on each leveled text. A TRC score is based on Fountas and Pinnell letter levels. Students take the TRC assessment at the beginning of the year, the middle of the year and the end of the year. The data received from this assessment not only provides me with a starting point, but also an end goal for students to strive for. I utilize this data to effectively determine reading groups that will promote reading growth across all levels. The data received from this assessment also guides my instructional decisions throughout the school year.
Sample TRC Assessment
Posted above is a sample running record with the accompanying comprehension questions that follow. The featured text is on level L, which is the benchmark goal for the end of second grade. This assessment uses multiple activities to measure the students reading comprehension level. The assessment is given 1:1 and begins with a brief introduction to the text. As the student is reading the text, the teacher follows along to address any mistakes made. Mistakes can include skipping a word, mispronunciation, substituting or only reading a portion of the word. After completing the text, the student is required to answer five oral comprehension questions, an example is shown above. The comprehension questions assess students’ ability to perform specific reading strategies such as summarizing the text, making predictions, or clarifying details. While answering questions students are able to refer back to the text in order to locate specific details that can help further support their answer. Students must correctly answer the comprehension questions in order to reach proficiency. Each leveled text increases in difficulty until the student is unable to provide the correct answers. When the student reaches this point their TRC level is determined and the assessment is complete.
TRC Cutpoints
The chart posted above details the proficiency bands for all TRC levels. In order for students to be adequately prepared for the next grade level they must score Proficient (Green) or Above Proficient (Blue) on the end of the year assessment. Many students in my class entered the year scoring Below Proficient or Far Below Proficient. Our school-wide goal is for each student is to grow three TRC levels by the conclusion of the year.
Data Analysis
Featured in the image on the right are my students’ TRC assessment scores from the year 2016-2017. I taught these students in second grade and have continued to provide them instruction in the third grade. The left half of the chart (DIBELS Next) focuses on my students' fluency data, and the right half highlights the Reading 3D TRC growth from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. The BOY column under the Reading 3D TRC assessment shows that 50% of my students began the year far below proficiency as indicated by the red letters in this column. However by the conclusion of second grade, only 19% of students tested far below as indicated by the red letters in the EOY column. Our school's goal was for each student to improve three or more TRC levels by the conclusion of the year. 91% of my students were able to achieve this goal as indicated by counting TRC levels from BOY to EOY. In order for students to reach proficiency in the second grade they must read at a level "L" by the conclusion of the year. 57% of students were able to reach this goal by the end of the year as indicated by the green and blue letters in the EOY column. 43% of students were not able to reach this goal, as indicated by the red or yellow letters in the EOY column. My students’ reading comprehension skills have improved dramatically since the beginning of the year have continued to grow in the third grade. Featured below is the journey of three students’ dramatic academic growth while under my instruction.
Individual Student Growth
Using TRC data I am able to assess students individually, and intentionally plan tailored instruction in order to push each student towards mastery. This data provides me with a detailed representation of each student’s reading abilities starting at the beginning of their academic career. It is helpful to have a clear understanding of a students past performance, especially when creating goals for the future. I use this data for several purposes including grouping, determining starting points, and providing necessary interventions. The profiles below showcase the academic journey of three students who have shown dramatic growth in reading.