Investigated alternative reading monitoring measures in addition to time-consuming oral reading fluency assessment. Examined measures suitable for automatic data collection and scoring using computers and acceptable as measures of reading comprehension. Assessed criterion validity of four such measures and identified subset of measures. (Author/NB)

Examines variables including handwriting, English mechanics, number of words written, average T-unit length, type of correct answers, and unrelated responses on which male and female adolescents in grades 7 and 10 were hypothesized to differ when producing constructed responses. Results suggest that further studies need to define and separate the…

Examined the validity and reliability of the 1995-96 reading/language arts portfolio assessment developed in the Dallas (Texas) public schools for prekindergarten through second grade. Ratings by 42 teachers show that portfolio contents do not provide a valid sample of student work and the assessment reliability is low. (SLD)

Examines the incremental validity of Differential Ability Scales (DAS) factor scores in predicting standardized achievement scores in Word Reading, Basic Number Skills, and Spelling by using a nationally representative sample stratified on gender, ethnicity, geographic region, parental education, and educational classification. Results show that…

Examines the reliability, validity, and sensitivity of experimental measures developed to assess three areas of early literacy: phonological awareness, vocabulary development, and fluency in letter naming. Results indicate which measures display adequate psychometric properties for kindergartners not yet reading. Experimental measures were less…

Evaluates the Dutch Text Comprehension Test, developed to help improve the education of secondary school minority students in the Netherlands. Finds the test proved reliable for both L1 students and L2 students. Suggests, although classification results were not optimal, the test can be used for diagnostic purposes provided a relatively large…

The interrelation of 4 achievement tests was investigated with 202 students (mean age 11) with specific learning disabilities. Although, in general, achievement subtests claiming to measure the same academic construct were moderately to strongly related, significant mean differences were present on several measures claiming to measure the same…

Considers how the topic of accountability and high-stakes testing has become more critical given the heightened visibility and importance of tests and test results. Notes that trends indicate that scrutiny of public schools and assessment will increase and that students need and deserve to have the best information available regarding effective…

Presents a cognitive theory of learning to read and examples of how its theoretical constructs can be measured. Measures of five phonological processing constructs were administered to 161 kindergarten children. Phonological awareness, naming speed, and letter recognition were the most frequent significant predictors of reading achievement in…

Discusses the move from whole language to phonics instruction in Los Angeles schools in an effort to rescue plummeting reading scores. (Author/VWL)

Considers the positioning of middle grade readers in standardized reading assessments, analyzing questions and tasks they encounter as they read and respond to standardized test items. Reading tests require children to show that they have understood and accepted a particular kind of positioning as readers. This analysis is contrasted with…

In this study, we investigated possible context effects when students chose to defer items and answer those items later during a computerized test. In 4 primary school reading tests, 126 items were studied. Logistic regression analyses identified 4 items across 4 grade levels as statistically significant. However, follow-up analyses indicated that…

Identifying low-progress readers easily and quickly is an essential prerequisite for effective literacy intervention in schools. In this study, teacher judgment of reading performance is compared with a curriculum-based measurement procedure. This study involved 33 teachers and their Year 3 to Year 5 classes. Twelve students were randomly selected…

The assessment records detailing the reading and spelling performance of a group of male juvenile justice detainees admitted over a 3-month period were examined in an attempt to quantify the basic literacy levels of juvenile offenders. Results of student self-ratings of their reading ability were also analysed. The participants comprised 68 males…

We looked at the effects of teaching 7- and 8-year-old children morphological and phonological distinctions. Some of those given morphological training and some of those given phonological training were also taught how to represent these distinctions in writing. All 4 intervention groups did better than the control group in a standardized test of…