What does the word analysis component of DRA-2 assess?

The word analysis component of the DRA-2 specifically assesses phonological awareness and phonics. This aspect is crucial for understanding how sounds and letters interact, which are foundational skills in reading development.

Phonological awareness involves recognizing and manipulating sounds in spoken language, which is essential for developing decoding skills that enable students to read effectively. Phonics, on the other hand, connects these sounds to written letters, allowing students to understand how to read words. By focusing on these two areas, the word analysis component helps educators identify students' strengths and weaknesses in reading proficiency, guiding targeted instruction to improve their literacy skills.

This focus on phonological awareness and phonics is particularly vital because it provides insight into a student's reading readiness and ability to decode unfamiliar words, ultimately supporting their overall reading development.