1. Evaluation of Nelson-Denny Reading Test Mini Project I By Becky Brandl

2. General Information Nelson-Denny Reading Test Riverside Publishing Company, 1993

3. General Purpose Assess achievement and progress in Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, & Reading Rate

4. Cost $50.25 - 25 Booklets $24.50 - Scoring Manual and Directions CD-ROM Version $6.06ea 25-499 $5.46ea 500-999 $5.16ea 1000+

5. Time to Administer 35 minutes Extra time allowed for special student populations

6. Population Grades 9 - 16 to Adult Two- year and four-year college students

7. Content & Appropriateness Reading Survey Test –Vocabulary test Fifteen minute timed –Comprehension test Twenty minute timed First minute determines reading rate

8. Technical Evaluation Raw Scores Scale Scores Grade-Equivalent Scores Normal Curve Equivalent Scores National Percentile ranks National Stanines

9. Reliability Forms G and H are parallel forms that have been equated Interchangeable as pretests and posttests

10. Summary of M.M.Y. Reviewer’s Comments No evidence of the diagnostic function of the test. Low reliability levels Narrative reading samples only Does not reflect current reading requirements (Charts, tables, graphs, pictures)

11. Readability Analysis Authors state that passages were checked using various readability formulas, but the resulting levels are not provided

12. Critique of the Instrument The test is easy to use Provides clear directions

13. Strengths Immediate Results Scores are generated and printed as soon as the assessment is complete Teachers can input raw scores from the paper/pencil version

14. Strengths (con’t.) Progress can be shown over time. Individual reports can be customized according to district specifications.

15. Weaknesses Diagnostic usefulness of information is suspect because of the author’s arbitrary and vague procedures Basis for normative comparisons is highly questionable

16. Recommendations I would prefer to use the CD-ROM version –Results reported immediately –Does not require hand-scoring

17. Caution DO NOT over interpret the scores Best used in combination with other reading indicators –Work samples –Observations –Other reading tests

18. "To me a fair test is one that looks at the positive accomplishments of that person. For instance, if we were to evaluate the faculty at this college, should we use a test of ability based on the norms for faculty members in the United States, or would it be more fair to look at what each faculty member has accomplished?” -Ken Kifer