The interactive reading assessment website, www.nifl.gov/readingprofiles, 
has been developed on data from the Adult Reading Component Study (ARCS). 
The study of 955 adult learners enrolled in adult education centers in 
several states is described on this website.

You will find descriptions of the DAR subtests at
http://www.nifl.gov/readingprofiles/FT_Match_Intro.htm

We continue to use the DAR as the main assessment of reading skills of 
learners coming to our adult reading lab.  It is an excellent test that 
gives information on a readers strengths and needs on the major reading 
skills.

A second version of the DAR will be published soon so that the test will 
have a pre and post Form and will then satisfy NRS test requirements.  The 
DAR is an Indepenndent Reading Inventory, and as with other IRIs (see the 
website Test Bank), the DAR can give information to aid teachers in 
planning a learner's instruction.




Rosalind Davidson, Ed.D.
Research Associate/Lecturer
National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy
Harvard University Graduate School of Education
Nichols House - Appian Way
Cambridge, MA 02138
tel:(617) 496-8952
fax: (617) 495-4811