Revision of the TEWL-2 Test!
Ages : 4-0 through 11-11 years
Testing Time : 30-50 minutes
Administration : Individual
Qualification Level : B
The TEWL–3 is a revision of the widely used Test of
Early Written Language–Second Edition. It includes two forms, each with a Basic
Writing and a Contextual Writing subtest. The TEWL–3 is
suitable as an individual assessment instrument for children ages 4-0 to 11-11.
The TEWL–3 provides standard score indexes (M = 100, SD = 15) for age and grade
percentiles, and age and grade equivalents.
The selection of items and the development of the subtests are grounded in the
available research literature and other evidence of developing literacy ability,
including curriculum guides and classroom activities. Item types were selected
only if recognized experts in the field have related them to developing literacy
abilities. Though using a different format, the TEWL–3 is a companion to the
TOWL–4 and extends the assessment range to younger children.
[TEWL–3 Subtests and Composite]
Basic Writing. This subtest consists of 70 items that are scored 0, 1, or
2. All items are presented according to increasing difficulty. This subtest
measures a child’s understanding about language and his or her ability to use
the writing tools of language. Included in this understanding is metalinguistic
knowledge, directionality, organizational structure, awareness of letter
features, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, proofing, sentence combining,
and logical sentences. The Basic Writing subtest can be administered
independently or in conjunction with the Contextual Writing subtest. Age-based
norms are provided for children from ages 4-0 through 11-11. Grade-based norms
are provided for Grades 2 through 6.
Contextual Writing. This subtest consists of 20 items that are scored 0
to 3. Two sets of pictures are provided, one for younger children (ages 5-0
through 6-11) and one for older children (ages 7-0 through 11-11). This subtest
measures a child’s ability to construct a story when provided with a picture
prompt. The subtest measures story format, cohesion, thematic maturity,
ideation, and story structure. A detailed, expanded scoring guide is provided to
assist in scoring the Contextual Writing subtest. This subtest can also be
administered independently or in conjunction with the Basic Writing subtest.
Age-based norms are provided for children ages 5-0 through 11-11. Grade-based
norms are provided for Grades 2 through 6.
Overall Writing. The Overall Writing index combines the index scores from
the Basic Writing and Contextual Writing subtests. It is a measure of the
child’s overall writing ability; students who score high on this quotient
demonstrate strengths in composition, syntax, mechanics, fluency, cohesion, and
the text structure of written language. This score can only be computed if the
child completes both subtests and is at least 5 years of age.
[Normative Characteristics]
The TEWL–3 norms represent more than 2,085 children from 30 states and British
Columbia, Canada. Characteristics of the normative group correspond to those for
the 2010 census data relative to geographic region, gender, ethnicity, Hispanic
status, household income, educational attainment of parents, and exceptionality
status. Item sequence was determined by item difficulty and item discrimination.
TEWL–3 Reliability
• For age and grade, internal consistency
reliability (alpha) coefficients of all scores meet or exceed .90 for all ages,
with most meeting or exceeding .95.
• For alternate form reliability, only 4 of 42 coefficients do not
meet or exceed .90. Of the four, all are in the mid to high 80s.
• Stability reliability of all scores approximates or exceeds .90.
• Across all forms of reliability, the reliability of the composite
index is in the mid to high 90s.
TEWL–3 Validity
• Extensive content validity data are presented.
• Criterion-prediction validity is evidenced by correlations with,
and comparison of means and standard deviations of, the Woodcock-Johnson III,
the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test–Second Edition, and the 6 + 1 Writing
Trait Rubric.
• Using the TEWL–3 to predict scores on the Woodcock-Johnson III
and the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test–Second Edition resulted in
sensitivity indexes of .86 and .91 respectively, specificity indexes of .89 and
.88, and ROC/AUC of .96 and .96. Classification accuracy was .88 for both tests.
• Construct-identification validity is presented based on
correlations with age, grade, cognitive ability, achievement, and group
discrimination, and on the correlation of individual test items with total test
scores.
New features of the TEWL–3:
• Two forms (Form A and Form B) are now available
with item prompts in color.
• All new contextual writing prompts are provided.
• The total number of items was increased to 70 for the Basic
Writing subtest and to 20 for the Contextual Writing subtest.
• Expanded age ranges now cover ages 4-0 through 11-11.
• Revised scoring for the Contextual Writing items is included, and
instructions for both subtests were made more specific and detailed.
• Data are matched to census projections for 2010 and 2015.
• The results of differential item functioning analysis are
reported suggesting no biased items.
COMPLETE TEWL–3 KIT INCLUDES:
Examiner’s Manual, 10 Administration/Record Booklets (Form A), 10
Administration/Record Booklets (Form B), 10 Student Workbooks (Form A), 10
Student Workbooks (Form B), and 3 Picture Cards, all in a sturdy storage box.