PiRA Digital
Progress in Reading Assessment (PiRA) is purpose-designed for standardised, term-by-term assessment of reading, from Reception to Year 6. With twenty sharply focused tests, it is ideal for tracking progress throughout the primary school.
The optional PiRA Digital is available in two versions – Basic (supplied on CD-ROM) and Interactive (activated online after you have installed the Basic version).
PiRA Digital – in both Basic and Interactive versions – is a networkable program: both are installed from the same CD-ROM, and both use the same core functionality, the same pupil set-up and the same database – meaning that you can decide whether to use on-screen or pencil-and-paper tests, in whatever combination you choose, with some or all pupils, across the whole school. All of the performance data is there in the same place, ready to generate the whole-school analyses and reports you require, when you want them.
PiRA Digital, in its Basic mode, functions as a scorer/profiler to process and analyse your test data: use it in conjunction with the pencil-and-paper tests to generate instant, accurate score conversions and immediate reports, while also holding all of your PiRA performance data from term to term. You can choose whether to enter total scores or the sub-scores that profile key aspects of reading. As well as generating standardised scores, NC and APP levels, and reading ages, PiRA also reports a finely incremented PiRA Scale score with which to follow progress, establish appropriate expectations and set realistic targets across the whole primary phase. The PiRA Digital CD-ROM, in its Basic mode, is a one-off purchase to use for as long, and with as many pupils, as you wish.
PiRA Digital Interactive does all this, and more! Crucially, it allows all of the PiRA tests to be taken independently on-screen (giving pupils audio input as appropriate), fully automating the scoring and diagnostic profiling, and allowing you to review individual performance question-by-question, if you wish. Having first purchased and installed PiRA Digital, the Interactive upgrade is provided and activated online, with pricing linked to school size (total number of pupils on roll):
| Number of pupils on roll 400+ pupils 200–399 pupils fewer than 200 pupils |
Interactive upgrade full price (+ VAT) 25% discount 50% discount |
Note: Interactive pricing is per two-year site licence, in addition to the initial purchase of the Basic CD-ROM.
IMPORTANT: In Basic mode, there is no licence period or limitation to the number of pupils you can assess – use it for as long, and with as many pupils, as you wish. The Interactive version is licensed for two years from the date of first activating the additional Interactive features: to access these, you will be asked to accept a two-year site licence. This licence is renewable –should you choose not to renew, no more on-screen tests can be taken, but all of your existing data will continue to be accessible and you will retain full use of the Basic scorer/profiler facilities.
