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What are the Indiana Reading Diagnostic Assessments?
The Indiana Reading Diagnostic Assessments are a series of informal classroom assessments designed to provide teachers with information about the developing skills of their students and to help them create individualized instructional plans. The Indiana Reading Diagnostic Assessments are the only reading assessments specifically developed to match Indiana's Academic Standards for Reading.

What grade levels do the Indiana Reading Diagnostic Assessments cover?
The Indiana Reading Diagnostic Assessments are available for Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade.

How much do the Indiana Reading Diagnostic Assessments cost?
The Indiana Reading Diagnostic Assessments are offered to all Indiana schools at no cost. The only cost to schools is to print materials.

Are the Indiana Reading Diagnostic Assessments required by the Indiana Department of Education?
No. Use of the Indiana Reading Diagnostic Assessments is voluntary.

We are a private school. Can we still use the Indiana Reading Diagnostic Assessments?
Yes. All Indiana schools are eligible to use the Indiana Reading Diagnostic Assessments.

My children are home-schooled. Can I receive the Indiana Reading Diagnostic Assessments to use in my instruction and how do I begin?
Yes. Home-school families may receive the Indiana Reading Diagnostic Assessments. To inquire, please call 1-800-377-1409 or e-mail irda@indiana.edu.

Is re-testing required?
No. Re-testing is not required, though it is recommended. Re-testing students who fail to meet the cut-score on a given section of the assessment allows teachers to confirm that the student is making progress and to assure that the student has acquired the skills indicated in every Standards Indicator within Indiana's Academic Standards for Reading. If your teachers use the Reading Online Assessment Reports (ROAR) System for student and class skills reports, entering re-test scores will more accurately reflect the skill levels of your students.

Some of my students have difficulties when testing. Do I have to administer the Indiana Reading Diagnostic Assessments to them?
The Indiana Reading Diagnostic Assessments are designed to determine a student's reading strengths and weaknesses and to help teachers target problem areas. The Assessments are not meant to "grade" students. We highly recommend that teachers use their best judgment when administering the Indiana Reading Diagnostic Assessments to their students and stop the process if students become frustrated.

I have a student with an IEP. Does this change the way I administer the assessment to her?
Yes. The Indiana Reading Diagnostic Assessments should be administered to follow the student's IEP whenever possible. Please indicate on the Score Recording Form and the student booklet that the student was given the assessment according to her IEP.

My class keeps me so busy; I don't have time to administer an assessment. Can I do anything about this?
Yes. The Indiana Reading Diagnostic Assessments are designed to be administered to students as a group whenever possible. Parent volunteers or teachers' aides may help administer any portion of the assessments. The Indiana Reading Diagnostic Assessments are meant to be flexible, so teachers may use the assessments to best fit their needs. IRDA is also available to be administered online. IRDA Online scores are automatically entered and feedback is immediate.

What is the ROAR System?
The Reading Online Assessment Reports (ROAR) System is a free online tool designed to enhance the use of the Indiana Reading Diagnostic Assessments. It provides a variety of student and class reports that cover student reading skills that can be shared with parents and administrators.

Why should our school use the ROAR System?
The ROAR System is an easy way for teachers to use the data gathered by the Indiana Reading Diagnostic Assessments in the most efficient manner possible. The ROAR System reports allow teachers to plan their instruction for individual students or the class as a whole by revealing problem skill areas. In addition, the ROAR System reports provide excellent information to share with students and parents during conferences. ROAR System reports can also be used to show the progress of specific groups of students. Disaggregating student data is becoming increasingly important under more rigorous state and federal laws concerning the achievement progress of students. The ROAR System provides a simple way to disaggregate student scores and create reports based on the disaggregated data.

Is there any way to see a sample of the Indiana Reading Diagnostic Assessments before I order them?
Yes. You may see sample items and read more about the Assessments on our website at www.cia.indiana.edu.

Is there any professional development training available for the Indiana Reading Diagnostic Assessments?
If your school would like to receive personalized training, please e-mail pdevel@indiana.edu with your request and a representative will contact you about your school's specific needs.

Are the Indiana Reading Diagnostic Assessments backed by scientifically-based reading research (SBRR) OR is there research to substantiate the effectiveness of the Indiana Reading Diagnostic Assessments?
Yes. The Center for Innovation in Assessment has completed at least six research studies on the Indiana Reading Diagnostic Assessments at each grade level (K-2). Technical Reports are now available for the Indiana Reading Diagnostic Assessments- First Grade and Second Grade. While the Technical Report for the Indiana Reading Diagnostic Assessment- Kindergarten is not expected to be completed until winter 2005, specific research information can be obtained now. If you need research information for your school's improvement plan report before the Technical Reports are available, please contact the Center for Innovation in Assessment by e-mailing Deanna Hendricks Wagoner at pdevel@indiana.edu.

Are Indiana Academic Standards-based math assessments available too?
No. At this time, Indiana Academic Standards-based math assessments are not available.