The Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) is a system used to assess and track a student's reading level. It provides an individualized assessment of a student's reading comprehension and skill level by measuring their ability to read words, comprehend sentences and passages, answer questions, and complete reading tasks.
The DRA is divided into four levels—level 1, level 2, level 3, and level 4—with each level composed of twenty four “steps” or stages. DRA 24 falls within level 3 of the DRA.
Students at DRA level 24 demonstrate a proficient knowledge of reading skills, with a focus on comprehension. Students who reach DRA 24 can reliably read grade-level texts independently and understand a variety of story elements, including character motivation, point of view, and plot development. They can construct meaning from context, identify the main idea of a text, explain details using evidence, and express their thoughts and interpretations through written expression.
DRA level 24 equates to a mid-fourth grade reading level, or Guided Reading Level (GRL) P. The words, concepts, and language used in texts at level 24 may be beyond the typical fourth-grade reading level, as it evaluates a student’s comprehension of text, rather than their reading fluency.
For more information about the Developmental Reading Assessment and how it is used, please visit Scholastic's website here:
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/understanding-dra-level-readers/
