A postal survey of OU students’ reading skills

Abstract

Noting that the use of a postal test for literacy measurement is an innovation, this paper describes the four reading tests used to measure the reading skills of a sample of students starting their studies in the Open University at the foundation course level. The paper also discusses reading skills and their assessment, followed by a rationale for the choice of test materials. The survey instrument is reprinted in the appendix. Contains 19 references. (Author/RS) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** Text & Readers Programme Technical Report #2 PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY t-nl, i TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) U.S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Othce ci Educauonai Research and morovemen EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER IERICI This document has been reproduced as received t rom the person or organization originating it O Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality Points ol view or opinions stated in this document clo not necessarily represent &ticket OERI position or policy A postal survey of OU students' reading skills Bernard Scott Michael Macdonald-Ross Institute of Educational Technology The Open University Milton Keynes MK7 6AA