Amber Gilbert

Sped 730: Characteristics, Methods, and Assessment: Introduction to Struggling Learners & Students
with High-Incidence Disabilities
Universal Screening Tools Assignment

The two characteristics I have listed for consideration are reliability and validity. When
identifying screening tools for reading in Elementary School, I felt these were important to
ensure success. I have included the chart to describe what exactly is considered reliable and
valid according to the five assessment tools being described. The five tools I have chosen have a
full bubble in both categories.
Each tool I have chosen is computer based, which I feel helps with the overall accuracy of the
results given. All results are broken down into easily readable data that is consistent. The data
given is validated and can be used to determine the student intervention that is needed. The
tools listed can be used to consistently monitor student progress and not just determine initial
need. All of the assessments listed below can be used for universal screening with all students.
If I were on a committee to choose which tools to purchase, I would look for which is most
accurate, yet cost effective. When comparing the five tools I listed below, I considered the cost
per student, how easily the data was accessible for teachers, as well as the time needed to train
the teachers on how to administer the tests. Some test are short and can be given per student
as needed, while others are administered to whole groups.

If given the opportunity to choose two of the five I have listed below, I would pick the
Edcheckup Standard Reading Passages, because of the cost effectiveness. This program offers
the most (math, reading, and writing) for under $3 per student. The software is more cost
effective when purchased in larger quantities. Software is sold in 1 unit increments that is valid
for 35 students per unit.

I would also recommend the, Istation Indicators of Progress (ISIP): Reading based mostly on
the accuracy of the results. I found this software to be the most accurate of the five I looked at
however, the price is $5 per student. The cost of this software might not make this an optimal
option for a lot of districts. This software also had the longest training time of between 1 and 4
hours of teaching training required. Again, I found it to be the most accurate of the five, which
is why I have recommended it.

Reliability:

Rating Rating defined

Amber Gilbert
Sped 730: Characteristics, Methods, and Assessment: Introduction to Struggling Learners & Students
with High-Incidence Disabilities
Universal Screening Tools Assignment

The type of reliability reported is appropriate given the purpose of the

Full bubble: Convincing tool
evidence and
2 or more of Q1-Q4 rated as YES

Validity:

Validity refers to the extent to which a tool accurately measures the underlying construct that it is intended
to measure.

Rating Rating defined

Full bubble: Convincing evidence All of Q1 Q3 rated as Yes

Q1. Was convincing evidence supporting content validity presented?

Q2. Was convincing construct validity presented (correlations above .70)?
Q3. Was convincing predictive validity presented (correlations above .70)?

The five tools I compared:

1. Edcheckup Standard Reading Passages

Administered to the individual student
Takes approximately 15 minutes to complete
Computer based
Uses benchmarks and norms
Amber Gilbert
Sped 730: Characteristics, Methods, and Assessment: Introduction to Struggling Learners & Students
with High-Incidence Disabilities
Universal Screening Tools Assignment

2. Formative Assessment System for Teachers (FAST): Adaptive Reading

Administered to a group
Takes approximately 16-20 minutes to complete
Computer based
Uses benchmarks and norms

3. Formative Assessment System for Teachers (FAST): CBMReading

Administered to the individual student
Takes approximately 1-5 minutes to complete
Computer based
Uses benchmarks and norms

4. Formative Assessment System for Teachers (FAST): earlyReading English

Administered to the individual student
Takes approximately 1-5 minutes to complete
Computer based
Uses benchmarks and norms

5. Istation Indicators of Progress (ISIP): Reading

Administered to a group
Takes approximately 13-21 minutes to complete
Computer based
Uses benchmarks and norms