What Methods of Scoring Young Children's Spelling Best Predict Later Spelling Performance?

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Bibliographic Details
Title: What Methods of Scoring Young Children's Spelling Best Predict Later Spelling Performance?
Language: English
Authors: Treiman, Rebecca (ORCID 0000-0002-6819-8338), Kessler, Brett (ORCID 0000-0001-5759-0193), Caravolas, Markéta (ORCID 0000-0003-4171-482X)
Source: Journal of Research in Reading. Feb 2019 42(1):80-96.
Availability: Wiley-Blackwell. 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148. Tel: 800-835-6770; Tel: 781-388-8598; Fax: 781-388-8232; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 17
Publication Date: 2019
Sponsoring Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF)
National Institutes of Health (DHHS)
Contract Number: BCS1421279
HD051610
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Descriptors: Spelling, Scoring, Predictor Variables, Elementary School Students, Standardized Tests, Phonology, Measures (Individuals), Evaluation Methods, Error Patterns
DOI: 10.1111/1467-9817.12241
ISSN: 0141-0423
Abstract: Background: Children's spellings are often scored as correct or incorrect, but other measures may be better predictors of later spelling performance. Method: We examined seven measures of spelling in Reception Year and Year 1 (5-6 years old) as predictors of performance on a standardised spelling test in Year 2 (age 7). Results: Correctness was the best predictor of later spelling by the middle of Year 1, and it significantly outperformed a binary measure of phonological plausibility at the end of Reception Year. Nonbinary measures based on Levenshtein distance were significant predictors of later spelling in the middle of Reception Year and in children who produced no correct spellings. Some widely used scales performed less well with children who did not yet produce any correct spellings. Conclusions: Nonbinary measures of spelling performance can predict later spelling performance but for a more restricted period than anticipated based on many theories.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2019
Accession Number: EJ1203380
Database: ERIC
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Abstract:Background: Children's spellings are often scored as correct or incorrect, but other measures may be better predictors of later spelling performance. Method: We examined seven measures of spelling in Reception Year and Year 1 (5-6 years old) as predictors of performance on a standardised spelling test in Year 2 (age 7). Results: Correctness was the best predictor of later spelling by the middle of Year 1, and it significantly outperformed a binary measure of phonological plausibility at the end of Reception Year. Nonbinary measures based on Levenshtein distance were significant predictors of later spelling in the middle of Reception Year and in children who produced no correct spellings. Some widely used scales performed less well with children who did not yet produce any correct spellings. Conclusions: Nonbinary measures of spelling performance can predict later spelling performance but for a more restricted period than anticipated based on many theories.
ISSN:0141-0423
DOI:10.1111/1467-9817.12241