1. Reading Skills Assessment Dr. Denise P. Gibbs, Director Alabama Scottish Rite Foundation Learning Centers Gibbsdenise@aol.com www.ALScottishRiteLearningCenters.com (205) 365-1640

2. Importance of early identification and early intervention for students with dyslexia… Dr. Reid Lyon testified before Congress on April 28, 1998……. 90-95% of children who start out as poor readers can increase skills to average reading levels if intervention is provided before age 9. If intervention is delayed until 9 years-of-age, approximately 75% of the children will continue to have difficulties learning to read throughout high school.

3. ELEMENTARY IDENTIFICATION : Initial Steps… Use DIBELS results Students who fail to benchmark despite supplemental instruction need assessment to determine cause of reading difficulties!

4. So how do we identify the individual needs of the struggling elementary reader? Collect information about each of the following skills: Reading single words in isolation (TOWRE) Phonemic decoding (TOWRE) Phonological awareness (CTOPP) Letter knowledge (name and associated sound) Rapid naming (CTOPP) Reading Fluency (rate and accuracy) (GORT4 or TOWRE) Spelling (TWS-4) Cognitive Skills (TONI-3) Listening Comprehension (OWLS-LC)

5. Phonological Processing Assessment Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing (CTOPP) published by Pro-ED Ages 5-24 Phonological awareness, phonological memory, and rapid naming 15 minutes to administer

6. Letter Knowledge Assessment Have student write all letters of the alphabet (lower case) as you time with stopwatch. Criterion – 1 minute or less with no errors Reversals not considered a problem if less than 3 rd grade

7. Letter Knowledge Assessment.. continued If student achieves criterion…. “Which are the vowels?” “What sounds does this letter make?”

8. Reading Assessment Test of Word Reading Efficiency (TOWRE) published by Pro-ED Ages 6-24 Sight word efficiency, phonemic decoding efficiency and total word reading efficiency 2 minutes to administer!

9. Reading Assessment Gray Oral Reading Test -4 (GORT- 4) published by Pro-ED Ages 6-18 Reading rate, accuracy, fluency, and comprehension for contextual reading 15-20 minutes to administer

10. Spelling Assessment Test of Written Spelling - 4 (TWS4) published by Pro-Ed Ages 6-adult standard scores, spelling to dictation 5 minutes

11. Cognitive Assessment Test of Nonverbal Intelligence (TONI) published by Pro-Ed Ages 6-adult Nonverbal reasoning, visual pattern recognition, cognitive skills, and problem solving skills 20 minutes

12. Language Assessment Oral and Written Language Scales (OWLS) published by AGS Ages 5-24 *Language comprehension*, oral expression (written language) 20 minutes to administer