Preparing tests for assessing reading and writing skills

Preparing tests for assessing reading and writing skills

Introduction

It is important to give occasional formal tests to the learners to be able to assess their progress and discover who may need extra help.

There are five specific types of tests which we discuss in this module:

Oral tests of reading skills
Objective tests of reading skills
Dictation tests of writing skills
Tests which measure both reading and writing skills
Advanced test to measure ability to communicate in writing

Note:

You can also use the tests to evaluate the primer materials. You should prepare these tests at the time you prepare the primer, but keep them separate for the teacher's use.

Tip:

Much of this module is based on the book Workshop guide for primer construction by Katharine Barnwell. Because this book is an external document, each link to it opens a PDF file using the Acrobat Reader program and displays the first page of the book. You can jump to a specific location in the book by using the appropriate bookmark in the outline window.

See:

Navigating in external PDF documents with Acrobat Reader

Prerequisites

Here are some prerequisites for preparing tests for assessing reading and writing skills:

You need to plan what will be taught in the primer.

See:
Developing primers
You need to prepare teachers instructions to accompany the primer.

Things to do
	Here are the things to do when you prepare tests for assessing reading and writing skills. For specific instructions, refer to "Preparing tests to go with the primer series" in Barnwell, Step 20:
	Determine what kind of test to give and when to give it. Prepare the test. Prepare the instructions for the teacher. Prepare marking sheets.

Sources
	Workshop guide for primer construction

Context for this page:

Task module: Preparing tests for assessing reading and writing ...
In task module: Developing learner assessing tools and materials, by Carole P. Spaeth
In task module: Developing instructional materials, by Trudy K. Stewart, Leah B. Walter (contributor), and Trudi C. Hunt (contributor)
In task module: Developing an instructional program, by Kenneth A. Boothe (contributor), Patricia M. Davis (contributor), Trudy K. Stewart (general editor), Leah B. Walter (contributor), Glenys Waters (contributor), and Adelle R. Walter (illustrator)
In task module: Implementing a literacy program, by Carole P. Spaeth (compiler)
In modular book: Implement a literacy program, by Carole P. Spaeth (compiler) and Leah B. Walter (compiler)
In bookshelf: Literacy

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 4.0, published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 1999. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 22 October 1999