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The Development and Validation of the Short Language Measure (SLaM): A Brief Measure of General Language Ability for Children in Their First Year at School

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Title: The Development and Validation of the Short Language Measure (SLaM): A Brief Measure of General Language Ability for Children in Their First Year at School
Language: English
Authors: Matov, Jessica (ORCID 0000-0002-9391-3823), Mensah, Fiona, Cook, Fallon, Reilly, Sheena, Dowell, Richard
Source: International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders. May-Jun 2020 55(3):345-358.
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: 14
Publication Date: 2020
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Language Tests, Screening Tests, Test Construction, Test Validity, Children, Accuracy, Test Reliability, Speech Language Pathology, Language Skills
Assessment and Survey Identifiers: Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals
DOI: 10.1111/1460-6984.12522
ISSN: 1368-2822
Abstract: Background: There is no sufficiently accurate short-language measure that could be used by speech-language pathologists, teachers or paraprofessionals to screen young school-aged children to identify those requiring in-depth language evaluations. This may be due to poor development of the available measures, which have omitted crucial test development steps. Applying more stringent development procedures could result in a measure with sufficient accuracy. Aims: To create and validate a short-language measure that has acceptable accuracy, validity and reliability, and which can be used to identify children who require further assessment and/or referral to speech-language services. Methods & Procedures: The study consisted of two phases. In Phase 1 (measure creation), 56 children were assessed with 160 direction-following and sentence-recall test items and a reference measure, the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals--Fourth Edition (CELF-4). Items were then examined for their individual characteristics (validity, reliability, difficulty and discrimination) via item analysis and the highest quality items were selected to form the Short Language Measure (SLaM). In Phase 2 (measure validation), 126 children were assessed with the SLaM and the reference measure (CELF-4) to determine SLaM's accuracy, validity and reliability. Outcomes & Results: A total of 40 test items were selected to form SLaM in Phase 1. Findings from Phase 2 indicated that SLaM had an accuracy of 94% (sensitivity = 94%, specificity = 93%), validity of 0.89 and reliability of 0.93. These values remained relatively consistent across both phases. Conclusions & Implications: The results indicated that SLaM has excellent psychometric properties. It can be used to identify children who need further evaluation by a speech-language pathologist.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2020
Accession Number: EJ1251567
Database: ERIC
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  Data: The Development and Validation of the Short Language Measure (SLaM): A Brief Measure of General Language Ability for Children in Their First Year at School
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Matov%2C+Jessica%22">Matov, Jessica</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9391-3823">0000-0002-9391-3823</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Mensah%2C+Fiona%22">Mensah, Fiona</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Cook%2C+Fallon%22">Cook, Fallon</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Reilly%2C+Sheena%22">Reilly, Sheena</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Dowell%2C+Richard%22">Dowell, Richard</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22International+Journal+of+Language+%26+Communication+Disorders%22"><i>International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders</i></searchLink>. May-Jun 2020 55(3):345-358.
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  Data: 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
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  Data: 10.1111/1460-6984.12522
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  Data: Background: There is no sufficiently accurate short-language measure that could be used by speech-language pathologists, teachers or paraprofessionals to screen young school-aged children to identify those requiring in-depth language evaluations. This may be due to poor development of the available measures, which have omitted crucial test development steps. Applying more stringent development procedures could result in a measure with sufficient accuracy. Aims: To create and validate a short-language measure that has acceptable accuracy, validity and reliability, and which can be used to identify children who require further assessment and/or referral to speech-language services. Methods & Procedures: The study consisted of two phases. In Phase 1 (measure creation), 56 children were assessed with 160 direction-following and sentence-recall test items and a reference measure, the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals--Fourth Edition (CELF-4). Items were then examined for their individual characteristics (validity, reliability, difficulty and discrimination) via item analysis and the highest quality items were selected to form the Short Language Measure (SLaM). In Phase 2 (measure validation), 126 children were assessed with the SLaM and the reference measure (CELF-4) to determine SLaM's accuracy, validity and reliability. Outcomes & Results: A total of 40 test items were selected to form SLaM in Phase 1. Findings from Phase 2 indicated that SLaM had an accuracy of 94% (sensitivity = 94%, specificity = 93%), validity of 0.89 and reliability of 0.93. These values remained relatively consistent across both phases. Conclusions & Implications: The results indicated that SLaM has excellent psychometric properties. It can be used to identify children who need further evaluation by a speech-language pathologist.
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      – SubjectFull: Speech Language Pathology
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