TPRI: How were words selected for the Word Reading and Spelling tasks?
- Thao.Yoder
Answer
In order to select 20 words to include on the TPRI Word Reading and Spelling tasks, the TPRI development team field tested about 60 different possible words at each grade level, for each type of task. The 60 field tested words were chosen by referencing current grade level TEKS, while considering words which covered a range of representative phonic elements and spelling patterns appropriate for each grade level. After field testing was complete, initial sets of words were created. Sets were formed by grouping together words with similar phonic elements and levels of difficulty. After careful consideration, 4 sets of 5 words were finalized. Each set included words that shared types of phonic elements, were of similar difficulty, and allowed for the sets to progress from easier to more difficult. The selected words also resulted in the creation of a highly reliable task.