DRP - Why Do We Do It?

By Paige Staley


HPCMS, Room 303 - On January 24th classes stopped and for periods 1 and 2 we took a test known as the DRP. Many students at HPCMS wondered - why do we do this? Well, my name is Paige and I am going to explain the DRP, its purpose and why we do it.

WHY DO WE DO IT?
The DRP is actually very important. In a survey, 53% of HPCMS students agree. “It’s important because it shows your progression throughout the school year,” said Caden Jarin of 603. The DRP stands for Degrees of Reading Power and it helps determine where you are as a reader. It is a test where you answer as many questions as possible and get as may right as possible so teachers and staff can determine your reading score and your growth. “We do the DRP to get quick data about what students are like as readers,” said Leah Grossman, a 7th grade ELA teacher.

WHAT’S ITS PURPOSE? 
The DRP is important because this test helps teachers and other staff know your score so they can know if a book is too easy or too hard for you to read. “We use the DRP because it is used by middle schools across the city that are part of MSQI - the Middle School Quality Initiative. This program supports schools in using the DRP and understanding the data to see how we are doing helping students become better readers. MSQI is also the program that brings us other literacy supports like debate, word generation, poetry slam, and book club supports,” said Sarah Goodman, the school principal. So, it helps people like her reflect on what they need to or want to offer students to support their growth as readers. According to Sambuddha Ranabhat of 601, “It can also help them find ways to support you and find good books for your reading level and see how much we have grown as a reader.” The DRP will help you increase your grade more so you can understand things more easily in school.

Also, the DRP is the test that determines your CD at the beginning of the year and in general “it really helps us see which of our programs are best supporting students,” said Brandi Rottingen. So what she is saying is that your CD and other programs and classes you are in is determined by your DRP score! Taking the DRP test is important!

DOES IT ACTUALLY MEASURE READING SKILLS?
Most teachers think the DRP does measure reading skills. “Overall the test gives us a quick data point about a reader that we can then follow up on with more targeted assessments - because we have that DRP data to start with,” said Leah Grossman. “[It] gives us an idea of where you are in terms of your reading,” said Brandi Rottingen.

SURVEY RESULTS
So, I had some students take a survey and I got some good results. Many students felt like they understood the DRP!