Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

The Test of Early Written Language (TEWL) is an individually administered measure for children from ages 3-0 through 7-11. Test items represent five functions of early writing (transcription, conventions, communication, creative expression, and record keeping) and are based on the author's review of existing research in early literacy development. The test succeeds in identifying students who are below their peers in writing, measuring long-term gains in written language achievement, and being a fairly reliable tool for researchers, but its format makes it difficult to document specific strengths and weaknesses. Reliability and validity for children under 6 has yet to be demonstrated, and no evidence is given for predictive validity.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Anastasi

(1982). Psychological testing (5th ed.). New York: Macmillan.

Baker

H. J.

& Leland

(1967). Detroit tests of learning aptitude (rev. ed.). Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill.

Clay

M. M.

(1979). The early detection of reading difficulties: A diagnostic survey with recovery procedures (2nd ed.). Auckland, New Zealand: Heinemann.

Clay

M. M.

(1983). Getting a theory of writing. In Kroll

B. M.

& Wells

(Eds.), Explorations in the development of writing (pp. 259–284). New York: John Wiley.

Cronbach

L. J.

(1951). Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests. Psychometrika, 16, 297–334.

Dyson

A. H.

(1982). Talking with young children writing. Childhood Education, 59, 30–36.

Ferreiro

& Teberosky

(1982). Literacy before schooling. Exeter, NH: Heinemann.

Goodman

(1980). The roots of literacy. Claremont Reading Conference forty-fourth yearbook. Claremont, CA: Claremont Graduate School.

Graves

D. H.

(1975). An examination of the writing processes of seven-year-old children. Research in the Teaching of English, 9, 227–241.

10.

Graves

D. H.

(1979). A six-year-old's writing process: The first half of first grade. Language Arts, 56, 829–835.

11.

Hammill

D. D.

Ammer

J. J.

Cronin

M. E.

Mandlebaum

L. H.

, & Quinby

S. S.

(1987). Quick-score achievement test. Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.

12.

Hammill

D. D.

& Leigh

J. E.

(1983). Basic school skills inventory— Diagnostic. Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.

13.

Hopkins

K. D.

Stanley

J. C.

, & Hopkins

B. R.

(1990). Educational and psychological measurement and evaluation (7th ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

14.

Hresko

W.P.

(1988). Test of early written language. Austin, TX: Pro- Ed.

15.

Kaufman

A. S.

& Kaufman

N. L.

(1985). Kaufman assessment battery for children. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service.

16.

Larsen

S. C.

& Hammill

D. D.

(1986). Test of written spelling—2. Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.

17.

Reid

D. K.

Hresko

, & Hammill

D. D.

(1981). Test of early reading ability. Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.

18.

Salvia

& Ysseldyke

J. E.

(1988). Assessment in special and remedial education (4th ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

19.

Slosson

R. L.

(1983). Slosson intelligence test. East Aurora, NY: Slosson Educational Publications.

20.

Statistical abstract of the United States (1985). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Bureau of the Census.

21.

Taylor

R. L.

(1989). Assessment of exceptional students: Educational and psychological procedures (2nd ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

22.

Thorndike

R. L.

Hagan

, & Sattler

(1986). Stanford-Binet intelligence scale (4th ed.). Chicago: Riverside.

23.

Vandivier

P. L.

& Vandivier

(1982). Written expression test. Indianapolis: Psychological/Educational Publications.

24.

Wright

(1985). Microscale (with programming by J. M. Linacre). Westport, CT: Mediax Interactice Technologists.

Early Screening of Written Language Skill: The Test of Early Written Language (TEWL)

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References