KPM: Why are Letter Names assessed differently for English vs. Spanish?

Answer

Letter Names are assessed differently in English and Spanish within the KPM to reflect the unique characteristics of each language and ensure a fair, valid measure of kindergarten readiness.

In English, the assessment is expressive: students are shown a letter and asked to say its name aloud. This approach aligns with English instruction, where letter names are often taught before letter sounds, and the names themselves are not always phonetic (e.g., “W” is pronounced “double-u”).
In Spanish, the assessment is receptive: students are shown a letter and asked to choose its name from four spoken options. This format supports Spanish instruction, which emphasizes phonetic consistency and often prioritizes letter sounds and syllables over isolated letter names.

These differences arise because English and Spanish have distinct phonological and orthographic systems. By adapting the assessment format to each language, KPM ensures that students are evaluated in a way that reflects their instructional context and language development, providing a more accurate and equitable picture of their early literacy skills.

Additional Information:

Alphabet Structure and Pronunciation

English letter names are not phonetic. For example, the letter "B" is pronounced "bee," which doesn’t directly match the sound /b/.
Spanish letter names are more phonetic and closely aligned with the sounds they represent. For example, "B" is pronounced "beh," which is closer to the /b/ sound in Spanish.

Instructional Differences

In English instruction, children often learn letter names as a precursor to learning letter sounds.
In Spanish instruction, especially in early literacy, there's a stronger emphasis on letter sounds and syllables rather than isolated letter names.

Assessment Purpose

The KPM assessment is designed to reflect developmentally appropriate practices for each language.
Assessing letter names in Spanish the same way as in English could misrepresent a child’s actual literacy development, especially if they are being taught in a Spanish-language classroom.

KPM User Guides for additional information: KPM User Guide