Arkansas Foundations of Reading Test (FORT)

What is the primary purpose of formal assessments like DIBELS and DRA?

1. Assessing knowledge of historical events

2. Evaluating students' decoding abilities and reading fluency

3. Tracking physical fitness

4. Judging artistic skills

The correct answer is: Evaluating students' decoding abilities and reading fluency

The primary purpose of formal assessments like DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) and DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment) is indeed to evaluate students' decoding abilities and reading fluency. These assessments are designed to measure essential reading skills that contribute to overall literacy development. They provide educators with valuable information about a child's progress in reading and their ability to decode words accurately and fluently, which are critical components in developing proficient readers. By focusing on decoding and fluency, these assessments help identify students who may need additional support in their reading development, allowing educators to tailor instruction to meet individual student needs. This targeted approach is essential for fostering successful reading habits and ensuring that students are on track with their literacy skills. Other options, such as assessing historical knowledge or tracking physical fitness, do not align with the specific aims of these reading assessments. Similarly, judging artistic skills falls outside the literacy domain, underscoring that the selected purpose is particularly relevant to reading development.