Standardized Reading Test Research Articles

A high-stakes reading test as the White listening subject: Applying an antiracist validation lens

ABSTRACT In this paper, the White listening subject takes the form of a standardized high-stakes reading test, the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR). Although the test does not actually listen, it ‘hears’ and evaluates children’s responses to its questions. I present the results of the 2017 Grade 8 reading exams, from the March, May, and June administrations, with a focus on results for students who are learning English as an additional language, who are racially minoritized, and who are economically disadvantaged. The analysis looks at factors predicting test completion, passing rates, and test resitting: language proficiency status, race/racism, and economic disadvantage. In the discussion, I question these results’ validity by examining the STAAR validity arguments including the construct definition, development and scoring of the assessment, retake administration policies, and consequences for language minoritized and racialized students. I hope this study may spur changes in policy and practice, and the institution of a re-humanizing lens in assessment policies in Texas and beyond.

INTEGRATING AI-BASED SPEECH RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE READING ASSESSMENTS WITHIN MOROCCO’S TaRL PROGRAM

This study examined the integration of artificial intelligence-powered speech recognition technology within early reading assessments in Morocco’s Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) program. The purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of an automated speech recognition tool compared to traditional paper- based assessments in improving reading skills among 100 Moroccan first to third-graders. The mixed- method approach combined pre-post standardized reading tests with qualitative feedback. Results showed students receiving the AI-enabled speech recognition assessments demonstrated significant gains in reading achievement compared to peers assessed via traditional methods. Qualitative findings revealed benefits of instant feedback and enhanced engagement provided by the speech recognition tool. This study contributes timely empirical evidence on adopting learning technologies, specifically AI-driven automated speech assessment instruments, to enhance foundational literacy development within under-resourced education systems implementing student-centered pedagogical techniques like TaRL. It provides valuable insights and guidance for integrating innovative speech analysis tools within localized teaching and learning frameworks to strengthen early reading instruction and monitoring.

English Reading Skills and their Influence on German Reading Proficiency: A Case Study of Moroccan Middle School Students

This study investigated the relationship between English and German reading comprehension among Moroccan middle school students. The primary objective was to examine whether proficiency in one language influenced performance in the other. A correlational design was employed, with data collected from 92 students at Ibn Rochd Middle School in Sidi Kacem. Participants completed standardized reading tests in both languages, assessing a range of comprehension skills. Correlation and regression analyses were conducted to explore the relationship between the two variables. Results indicated a lack of significant correlation between English and German reading scores, suggesting that shared alphabetic features do not necessarily translate into direct transferability of reading skills. These findings challenge the notion of automatic language transfer and emphasize the complex nature of bilingual reading development. The study highlights the need for further research to investigate factors influencing language transfer in the Moroccan context, such as instructional practices, curriculum design, and individual differences. Implications for teachers, syllabus designers, and educational stakeholders are discussed.

Validation of the Norwegian International Reading Speed Texts (IReST) in adult readers with normal vision

There is a lack of standardised reading tests in Norwegian suitable for adults and persons with visual impairment (VI). The International Reading Speed Texts (IReST) measure reading performance of longer paragraphs. The aim of this project was to translate and validate the IReST in Norwegian. Each of the German, English and Swedish IReST were translated into Norwegian. The translations were matched for length, linguistic difficulty, and structure, and piloted in five adults. Reading speed was assessed in 25 readers (41 years, SD = 10) with normal vision and the readings were recorded. Reading speeds were analysed for variability between texts and participants. There were no statistically significant differences between the ten texts (135 words, 765 characters [SD=18], word variation index 91.8% [SD = 0.9%]). Reading speed in adult readers was 204 (SD=31) words/min. There was no difference across texts for any of the participants (p>0.05). Reading speed variance was 77.4% between subjects and 22.6% between texts. The Norwegian IReST is standardised and comparable to the international IReST tests. Reading speed falls within normative values in adult readers. The Norwegian IReST will be a valuable tool in assessing reading in clinical health care, rehabilitation and educational practice of adult and visually impaired readers and in reading research.

Later ("evening") circadian preference is associated with poorer executive, academic, and attentional functioning in adolescents with and without ADHD.

Adolescents vary considerably in their circadian phase preference; those with greater "eveningness" (also known as "night owls") have later bedtimes, wake times, and peak arousal compared to those with greater "morningness." Prior research suggests that (a) greater eveningness is associated with worse academic, executive, and attentional functioning; and (b) adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) tend to be high in eveningness and to have deficits in these school-related constructs. However, few studies have examined circadian preference alongside two potential confounds-sleep duration and sleep quality-as predictors of daytime functioning, or whether the strength of associations differs across adolescents with and without ADHD. Participants were 302 adolescents (Mage = 13.17 years; 44.7% female; 81.8% White); approximately half (52%) had ADHD. A multi-method, multi-informant design was used. Specifically, adolescents reported on their circadian preference, school night sleep duration, and sleep quality. Adolescents provided ratings of their academic motivation (intrinsic, extrinsic, and amotivation) and were administered standardized achievement tests in reading and math. Adolescents and parents completed ratings of daily life executive functioning (behavioral, emotion, and cognitive regulation), and they and teachers also provided ratings of ADHD inattentive symptoms. Above and beyond sleep duration, sleep quality, and covariates (sex, family income, pubertal development, medication use), greater eveningness was uniquely associated with poorer academic, executive, and attentional functioning across most measures. Sleep quality was uniquely associated with a handful of outcomes, and sleep duration was not significantly uniquely associated with any outcome in the regression analyses. ADHD status did not moderate effects. This study provides compelling evidence that poorer academic, executive, and attentional functioning are more closely associated with greater eveningness than with sleep duration or quality in adolescents. Findings suggest that targeting circadian preference may be important to reduce these problems in adolescents, especially in clinical samples such as ADHD for whom academic, executive, and attentional difficulties are exceptionally common.

The Effects of Question-Answer-Relationship (QAR) Instruction on Standardized Reading Comprehension Test Scores of Third-Grade Students

Despite many school reform initiatives designed to ensure reading proficiency for all students, recent reports from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reveal that only 37 percent of fourth-grade students and only 34 percent of eighth-grade students performed at or above the proficiency levels measured in reading (NAEP, 2017). This quantitative study used a non-equivalent control group design to examine the impact of direct instruction of the Question-Answer-Relationship (QAR) strategy on standardized reading test scores of third-grade students. It also specifically examined the impact of direct instruction of the QAR strategy on traditionally underserved students' standardized test scores. A two-way Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was conducted. Adjusted marginal mean post-test scores in the group receiving treatment of the QAR strategy (64.580) were higher than the mean post-test scores of students who did not receive QAR instruction (56.382). Adjusted marginal mean post-test scores of students who did not receive QAR instruction (56.382). Adjusted marginal mean post-test scores of historically underserved students showed no significant differences (60.05 and 60.90, respectively). In addition, adjusted marginal mean post-test scores of historically underserved and non-historically underserved students who received QAR instruction showed no significant differences (54.48 and 58.29).

Solution to Improve English Reading Comprehension Skills for First-Year Non-Specialized Students at Tan Trao University

The increasing importance of English as a global language necessitates the development of robust reading comprehension skills among university students, especially those in their first year. At Tan Trao University, a significant number of first-year non-specialized students struggle with English reading comprehension, which impedes their overall academic progress and limits their access to global knowledge resources. This study, titled "Solution to Improve English Reading Comprehension Skills for First-Year Non-Specialized Students at Tan Trao University," seeks to address this pressing issue by identifying the challenges these students face and proposing effective solutions to enhance their reading comprehension abilities. Drawing upon a comprehensive literature review, this research delves into various theoretical frameworks and previous studies on reading comprehension and second language acquisition. It investigates the specific difficulties encountered by non-specialized students, such as limited vocabulary, lack of background knowledge, inadequate reading strategies, and low motivation. By employing a mixed-methods approach, the study combines quantitative data from standardized reading tests and surveys with qualitative insights from interviews and focus group discussions. The findings reveal that students' reading comprehension difficulties stem from a combination of internal and external factors. Internally, students often exhibit low self-efficacy and anxiety towards reading in English. Externally, insufficient exposure to English texts, lack of tailored instructional materials, and limited access to reading resources further exacerbate the problem. In light of these findings, the study proposes a multifaceted intervention strategy aimed at improving reading comprehension skills. Key solutions include the integration of extensive reading programs, the use of authentic and engaging reading materials, and the implementation of reading strategy instruction. Additionally, the study emphasizes the importance of fostering a supportive learning environment through peer collaboration, teacher feedback, and motivational activities. To ensure the effectiveness of these solutions, an implementation plan is outlined, detailing steps for curriculum development, teacher training, and ongoing assessment. This research not only contributes to the academic discourse on language acquisition but also offers practical recommendations for educators and policymakers at Tan Trao University. By addressing the specific needs of first-year non-specialized students, the proposed solutions aim to enhance their reading comprehension skills, thereby improving their overall academic performance and increasing their opportunities for success in a globalized world. The study concludes with suggestions for further research to explore additional factors influencing reading comprehension and to develop innovative instructional approaches tailored to diverse student populations.

A STUDY ON TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE ENGLISH MAJORED STUDENTS’ READING COMPETENCE

Previous studies have investigated the significance of reading proficiency in acquiring the English language and brought attention to the reading difficulties learners have in their learning process. This study examines the use of speed-reading strategies as a method to enhance learners' reading ability. Seventy senior English-major students from the Faculty of Foreign Languages at Dong Nai Technology University were participating in the study during their final semester. The study employed a mixed methodology, which included collecting quantitative data from a pretest-posttest paradigm without a control group, questionnaires before and after the use of speed reading strategies, and qualitative data through observations. The students' reading competence was assessed using a standardized IELTS reading test at the start of the study, followed by a pre questionnaire and 10 hours of speed reading training with observations. After the training, the students took a posttest to determine the discrepancy between the pre-test and post-test, and post questionnaire was sent to the participants to understand their opinion about the use of strategies in doing tests. Speed reading techniques were found to enhance students' performance on reading tests and cultivate a positive attitude towards reading comprehension. The students gained valuable reading skills and strategies that contribute to academic success.

Inequalities in learning loss during the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile: the significance of school effectiveness

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic-associated learning losses were unequal across school subjects and sociodemographic groups. This study posits that these losses are also heterogeneous based on pre-pandemic school effectiveness, that is, the value schools added above the expected students’ learning based on their socioeconomic background. Using national-scale standardized mathematics and reading test scores, we compared learning losses between 2013–2018 (pre-pandemic) and 2022 at the school level in Chile and examined how they varied according to an indicator of schools’ pre-pandemic effectiveness. Schools with high effectiveness underwent the highest pandemic-driven losses, especially in mathematics. These losses were more pronounced as schools reopened later and students’ post-pandemic attendance decreased. Educational policies should adjust to this heterogeneity. While high-vulnerability, high-effectiveness schools require support to mitigate the pandemic’s effects, low-effectiveness schools must enhance their capacity to foster student learning beyond these impacts.

Evaluating the Efficacy of a Serious Game in Enhancing Word Reading Speed

Dyslexia is a Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) characterized by subpar reading abilities in terms of accuracy and/or speed. Dyslexia can have a lifelong negative impact on academic and day-to-day life. However, early identification and subsequent training can help dyslexic children overcome their reading difficulties. For instance, tachistoscopic reading, a technique that involves presenting words for a brief period, has been shown to improve reading speed. Technological tools, such as serious games, can also be useful, and governments encourage their use to enhance the management of SLDs. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of a serious game called Tachistoscopio in improving reading speed in children. The game began with a short calibration process, followed by the presentation of a word for a brief duration. The user was then asked to write the word. We tested it on children, carrying out the pictorial system usability scale to assess usability and investigating the effect of class and gender through Mann-Whitney U tests. We determined it had excellent usability and could effectively adapt to users’ abilities, as third graders performed significantly better than second graders (p<0.001). Following the success of this preliminary phase, 36 second-grade children, split into two groups, participated in a training study: 18 children underwent a three-week training phase with the game, while the remaining 18 children served as the control group. Before the training, we assessed all children’s reading abilities using standardized word reading and vocabulary tests. The training involved four 20-item sessions per week. We then collected the reading performance of both groups again and used Mann-Whitney and interval estimates to test for statistically significant difference between the reading speed increments in the two groups. Their confidence intervals did not overlap (training: [0.11; 0.33], control: [-0.10; 0.05]), which suggests a significant difference between them. These findings suggest that Tachistoscopio may be an effective intervention tool for improving reading speed in dyslexic children.

Depression, Generalize Anxiety Disorder, and School Avoidance in Early School Years in Pupils with Poor Reading Ability

Background: Children with poor reading ability may be at risk of early mental health problems. Objective: To determine an association between poor reading ability and generalize anxiety, school avoidance and depression among pupils in early school years. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in 1,038 pupils studying in Grade 2 in 8 primary schools in Thailand. All pupils were individually assessed in their reading abilities by the Thai Standard Reading Tests. Generalized anxiety disorder and significant school avoidance were screened by using the Thai version of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED). Depression was screened by using the Thai version of the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ). Results: A total of 877 pupils completed the tests. The mean age was 7.0 years (SD 0.4 years). The prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder, significant school avoidance, and depression were 18.4% (95% CI 15.8 to 20.9), 32.2% (95% CI 29.1 to 35.3), and 36.0% (95% CI 32.9 to 39.2), respectively. Poor reading ability was significantly associated with school avoidance with the odds ratio of 2.2 (95% CI 1.5 to 3.3, p<0.001) and depression with the odds ratio of 1.8 (95% CI 1.2 to 2.6, p=0.005), but was not significantly associated with generalized anxiety disorder. Conclusion: Poor reading ability was associated with school avoidance and depression in early school years. Emotional problems should be screened early in those with poor reading ability. Keywords: Poor reading ability; Anxiety; Depression; School avoidance; Mental health

Association Between Gestational Age and Academic Achievement of Children Born at Term

Differences in academic achievement by gestational age of children born at term, especially at 39 to 41 weeks, are not well understood. To examine differences in academic achievement among children born between 37 and 41 weeks' gestational age. This retrospective cohort study linked birth certificates of children born in Iowa from 1989 to 2009 with school test scores for grades 2 to 11 from 2017 to 2018. Statistical analysis was performed from January to March 2023. Gestational age at 37, 38, 39, and 41 weeks vs 40 weeks from clinical or obstetric and calendar measures. Outcomes were scores in national percentile rankings (NPRs) on standardized school tests in math and reading. Covariates included demographic and prenatal risk factors. The sample included 536 996 children (50.7% male children and 49.3% female children) with math scores (3 576 045 child-grade observations; 6.6%, 15.7%, 28.6%, 35.5%, and 13.7% born at 37, 38, 39, 40, and 41 weeks, respectively) and 537 078 children with reading scores (3 590 408 child-grade observations). Score differences for those born at 39 vs 40 weeks were -0.028 NPRs (95% CI, -0.18 to 0.12 NPRs) for math and 0.085 NPRs (95% CI, -0.067 to 0.24 NPRs) for reading using the clinical or obstetric measure and 0.03 NPRs (95% CI, -0.14 to 0.20 NPRs) for math and 0.13 NPRs (95% CI, -0.042 to 0.31 NPRs) for reading using the calendar measure. With the clinical or obstetric measure, score differences between those born at 41 and 40 weeks were 0.19 NPRs (95% CI, -0.0052 to 0.38 NPRs) for math and 0.098 NPRs (95% CI, -0.096 to 0.29 NPRs) for reading. With the calendar measure, score differences for those born at 41 weeks were -0.22 NPRs (95% CI, -0.43 to -0.013 NPRs) for math and -0.28 NPRs (95% CI, -0.49 to -0.074 NPRs) for reading. With the clinical or obstetric measure, score differences between those born at 37 and 38 weeks vs 40 weeks were -0.59 NPRs (95% CI, -0.84 to -0.33 NPRs) and -0.44 NPRs (95% CI, -0.62 to -0.26 NPRs), respectively, for math, and -0.066 NPRs (95% CI, -0.32 to 0.19 NPRs) and -0.19 NPRs (95% CI, -0.37 to 0.0038 NPRs), respectively, for reading. This study suggests that there is no evidence of a difference in math and reading scores over grades 2 to 11 among children born between 39 and 40 weeks' gestation, and overall no evidence of better scores among those born at 41 weeks' gestation compared with 40 weeks' gestation. The results can further inform decisions on delivery timing at term birth by offering insights into long-term associations of delivery timing with cognitive development and school achievement.

Using fluency and comprehension instruction with struggling readers to improve student reading outcomes in English elementary schools

This study reports results from a randomized controlled trial of a reading intervention program in English elementary schools implemented during Covid19. Trained staff delivered targeted reading fluency and comprehension instruction to small groups of eligible children aged 7–9 for at least 12-weeks. Twelve schools from four English districts with high socio-economic disadvantage participated, with a sample of 186 children. Positive effect sizes of +0.26 on overall reading scores were observed, on an independently designed standardised reading test. A process evaluation assessed implementation fidelity. This intervention shows excellent promise as a technique to improve overall reading (mainly through enhancing sentence level reading comprehension).

Stealth Literacy Assessments via Educational Games

Literacy assessment is essential for effective literacy instruction and training. However, traditional paper-based literacy assessments are typically decontextualized and may cause stress and anxiety for test takers. In contrast, serious games and game environments allow for the assessment of literacy in more authentic and engaging ways, which has some potential to increase the assessment’s validity and reliability. The primary objective of this study is to examine the feasibility of a novel approach for stealthily assessing literacy skills using games in an intelligent tutoring system (ITS) designed for reading comprehension strategy training. We investigated the degree to which learners’ game performance and enjoyment predicted their scores on standardized reading tests. Amazon Mechanical Turk participants (n = 211) played three games in iSTART and self-reported their level of game enjoyment after each game. Participants also completed the Gates–MacGinitie Reading Test (GMRT), which includes vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension measures. The results indicated that participants’ performance in each game as well as the combined performance across all three games predicted their literacy skills. However, the relations between game enjoyment and literacy skills varied across games. These findings suggest the potential of leveraging serious games to assess students’ literacy skills and improve the adaptivity of game-based learning environments.

Negative Transfer in Chinese College Students' English Reading

Contrary to what most Chinese higher education researchers believe, teaching practice shows that Chinese university students still have some difficulty in reading academic literature in English, and this is not caused by a lack of vocabulary. To investigate the impact that Chinese-based reading habits produce on Chinese university students understanding of the logic of English academic texts, 23 students were given a standardized English reading test covering ecology, zoology, economics, and cartography. Test results and post-test interviews reveal that most Chinese students were significantly better at understanding the meaning of single sentences than at sorting out the logic of the texts. When reading English literature, some students fail to correctly understand the role of logical adverbs and conjunctions, and even ignored logical words in the texts. As a result, the speed of reading English literature slows down and students fail to correctly understand the central content of the texts. This is caused by the different meanings and functions of different logical words in Chinese and English. The results of this study point out that there is a lack of training in the ability to sort out the logic of texts in Chinese higher English education and provide new teaching ideas for teachers who are struggling to improve students' ability to read English literature.

Self-regulation and academic achievement among Singaporean young children: A cross-cultural comparison in a multicultural Asian society

Cultural contexts influence the development of self-regulation. However, cross-cultural variations and consistencies in different aspects of self-regulation and their academic outcomes within the Asian context are less clear. This study investigated (1) the extent to which the development of hot and cool Executive Function (EF) might differ among children from different cultural backgrounds in a multicultural Asian society, and (2) whether and how the predictive power of hot and cool EF on academic skills might vary across subcultures within the nation. Longitudinal data were collected over two waves from a national probability sample of 2,527 young children in Singapore, consisting of ethnic Chinese, Malays, and Indians. Working memory (WM), Delay of Gratification (DoG), and parent-reported self-control were measured during their preschool years (3–6 years of age) in Wave 1. Reading and mathematical skills were assessed approximately 2 years later in Wave 2. Results demonstrated that ethnic Chinese children typically delayed gratification at age 4, whereas Malay and Indian children only started to delay gratification at age 6. Chinese children also outperformed their Malay and Indian counterparts in WM tasks and standardized achievement tests in reading and mathematics. Parent-reported child self-control did not differ by ethnicity. Across subcultures in Singapore, WM was a robust predictor of reading and mathematical skills and explained the longitudinal relations of DoG to academic skills. Our findings suggest that the developmental gaps in EF during early childhood can contribute to later gaps in academic achievement among ethnic groups. Nurturing self-regulation during the preschool years is essential for promoting children’s school readiness.

Building mental toughness: A middle school intervention to increase grit, locus of control, and academic performance

AbstractWe evaluated a curriculum that focused on bolstering grit and locus of control in seventh grade students at a school in upstate New York. The intervention included lessons aimed at building a growth mindset and determination, along with writing projects and collaborative work. A pre−post design was utilized such that surveys measuring grit and locus of control were administered at the beginning of the school year and at the end of the school year for 215 students. Participants also completed standardized tests in reading and math. Students' scores on locus of control showed a significant change toward higher perceived control. The lowest scoring students on grit also showed a significant increase over the same time period. No changes were observed at a comparison school that did not receive the intervention. Both grit and locus of control significantly predicted academic achievement on standardized tests for reading and math. The findings support the intervention and the importance of grit and locus of control in academic achievement.

Predicting Reading Achievement Through Progress Monitoring in Elementary School

ABSTRACT This longitudinal study examined the effectiveness of a progress monitoring method, namely the Multilayer Instruction Model-Progress Monitoring (MIM-PM), which is a word reading fluency measure. It was used from 1st grade onward to predict the overall reading achievement of students in elementary school by tracking their reading achievement over the following six years. A total of 827 elementary school students in Japan participated in this study. At the end of every other year—2nd, 4th, and 6th grades—a standardized Reading Test (RT) was administered to assess overall reading achievement. The relationship between each MIM-PM measure and RT was determined using the latent growth curve model (LGCM). Using the LGCM, we confirmed that the MIM-PM had an acceptable fit for use in the prediction model for RT from 2nd to 6th grades. The MIM-PM slope explained the intercept of RT, rather than that of MIM-PM. Thus, it can assist in predicting reading achievement in later grades based on word reading fluency, as well as monitor students’ progress from an early stage of the educational process.

Investigating the impact of self-pacing on the L2 listening performance of young learner candidates with differing L1 literacy skills

In online environments, listening involves being able to pause or replay the recording as needed. Previous research indicates that control over the listening input could improve the measurement accuracy of listening assessment. Self-pacing also supports the second language (L2) comprehension processes of test-takers with specific learning difficulties (SpLDs) or, more specifically, of learners with reading-related learning difficulties who might have slower processing speed and limited working memory capacity. Our study examined how L1 literacy skills influence L2 listening performance in the standard single-listening and self-paced administration mode of the listening section of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Junior Standard test. In a counterbalanced design, 139 Austrian learners of English completed 15 items in a standard single-listening condition and another 15 in a self-paced condition. L1 literacy skills were assessed via a standard reading, non-word reading, word-naming, and non-word repetition test. Generalized Linear Mixed-Effects Modelling revealed that self-pacing had no statistically significant effect on listening scores nor did it boost the performance of test-takers with lower L1 literacy scores indicative of reading-related SpLDs. The results indicate that young test-takers might require training in self-pacing or that self-paced conditions may need to be carefully implemented when they are offered to candidates with SpLDs.

School Performance and Behaviour Profiles Among Finnish Adolescents, and Their Relations with Temperament Traits: A Person-centred Approach

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to examine what kind of school performance and behaviour profiles could be identified among students in the final grade of basic education in the Swedish speaking parts of Finland (N = 1149, grade 9), how these differed in temperament and how temperament could explain profile differences in first language (L1, Swedish) grades, behaviour grades, and results from standardised reading tests. Latent profile analysis revealed three groups of students with distinct L1 performance and behaviour profiles. One profile with good grades in L1 and behaviour, and good test results – one with satisfactory grades in L1, good grades in behaviour, and poor test results – and one with low grades in L1 and behaviour, and relatively good test results. High perseverance and low impulsivity were related to good L1 and behaviour grades. The findings implicate that student’s behaviour impact both the assessment of the subject and behaviour.