Please also find the following memo in pdf form available for download here.
To: Heartland Area Curriculum Coordinators and Principals
From: David Tilly, Director Innovation and Accountability
Sharon Kurns, Director Professional Learning and Leadership
RE: DIBELS Next Assessment Materials and Training
We are writing to update you about the distribution and training of Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills Next (DIBELS Next) assessment materials for the 2010-2011 school year. Heartland will again provide assessment materials and access to the DIBELS Data System website at no cost to your district. DIBELS assesses literacy skills and assists teachers and literacy teams in identifying those students who may be in need of additional instruction. DIBELS is available for students in Kindergarten through 6th grade. DIBELS is most effectively used within a school-wide system where all students are assessed at least three times per year and the data are used to plan for the instructional needs of all students.
We have been anticipating changes to the DIBELS materials for several years and are pleased to tell you that the revised materials for DIBELS Next will be available for the 2010-2011 school year. They will not be available for download until May 17, therefore we will not begin filling orders until after that time. Our intent is to have all orders delivered to schools by the beginning of next school year. This will ensure all schools have the materials they need in order to gather data in the fall.
The assessment materials and procedures have been revised; therefore it will be necessary for teachers and others who will administrator the assessments to receive training. Because of this, you may want to schedule your fall benchmarking day a bit later than usual so that you can ensure that this training occurs. There will be many options for training including webinars and other electronic means of obtaining the training at a time that fits your schedule. Specific information about training will be provided through the Heartland Administrator Connection in coming weeks.
Click here for an order form for DIBELS Next student assessment booklets. Please complete this order form indicating the number of booklets per grade level you anticipate needing for the 2010-2011 school year. A master copy of Stimulus Books and Administrative will be provided with each order. You may then reproduce the number you need for your building. Be sure to indicate the building contact person who should receive the order. All order forms and future requests for DIBELS assessment booklets should be sent to Teri Hazen at the Johnston Office. Please return the form by May 30, 2010.
Questions regarding administration and scoring, training and/or use of the DIBELS Data System website can be directed to Kristin Orton at (515) 270-0405, extension 14673, or to your Partnership Director. Questions regarding materials may be directed to Teri Hazen at (515) 270-0405, extension 14465.
