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Test Review: D. D. Hammill & S. C. Larsen 'Test of Written Language-Fourth Edition.' (TOWL-4). Austin, TX--PRO-ED, 2009

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Title: Test Review: D. D. Hammill & S. C. Larsen 'Test of Written Language-Fourth Edition.' (TOWL-4). Austin, TX--PRO-ED, 2009
Language: English
Authors: McCrimmon, Adam W., Climie, Emma A.
Source: Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment. Dec 2011 29(6):592-596.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 5
Publication Date: 2011
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Descriptors: Language Research, Written Language, School Psychologists, Test Reviews, Geographic Regions, Psychometrics, Writing Skills, Language Tests, Children, Adolescents, Intervention, Measurement, Scores, Writing Tests, Scoring, Foreign Countries, Norms
Geographic Terms: Canada
DOI: 10.1177/0734282911406646
ISSN: 0734-2829
Abstract: This article presents a review of the "Test of Written Language-Fourth Edition" (TOWL-4), a newly updated individual or group-based measure of written language for students aged 9 years, 0 months through 17 years, 11 months. The stated purposes of the measure are to identify students in need of support or intervention in the area of written language, identify strengths and weaknesses in students' writing abilities, document progress resulting from written language interventions, and provide measurement in written language research. The TOWL-4 consists of seven subtests that combine to form two composites (Contrived Writing and Spontaneous Writing) and an Overall Writing score. Contrived Writing tasks focus on discrete aspects of written discourse (e.g., spelling, punctuation, word usage) whereas Spontaneous Writing tasks examine an individual's functional writing ability (i.e., quality). Scaled scores and percentiles are provided for subtests and composites, and scoring parameters for each subtest are provided in the Examiner's Manual. The TOWL-4 is an effective stand-alone measure of written expression in children and adolescents. The evaluation of both the contrived and spontaneous aspects of writing in one cohesive measure is particularly praiseworthy. However, the lack of Canadian norms may be a factor for use in that geographic region. Overall, the authors have produced a commendable tool with appropriate and adequate psychometric properties that will likely prove beneficial to school psychologists and other classroom personnel.
Abstractor: ERIC
Number of References: 8
Entry Date: 2011
Accession Number: EJ945204
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Test Review: D. D. Hammill & S. C. Larsen 'Test of Written Language-Fourth Edition.' (TOWL-4). Austin, TX--PRO-ED, 2009
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  Data: This article presents a review of the "Test of Written Language-Fourth Edition" (TOWL-4), a newly updated individual or group-based measure of written language for students aged 9 years, 0 months through 17 years, 11 months. The stated purposes of the measure are to identify students in need of support or intervention in the area of written language, identify strengths and weaknesses in students' writing abilities, document progress resulting from written language interventions, and provide measurement in written language research. The TOWL-4 consists of seven subtests that combine to form two composites (Contrived Writing and Spontaneous Writing) and an Overall Writing score. Contrived Writing tasks focus on discrete aspects of written discourse (e.g., spelling, punctuation, word usage) whereas Spontaneous Writing tasks examine an individual's functional writing ability (i.e., quality). Scaled scores and percentiles are provided for subtests and composites, and scoring parameters for each subtest are provided in the Examiner's Manual. The TOWL-4 is an effective stand-alone measure of written expression in children and adolescents. The evaluation of both the contrived and spontaneous aspects of writing in one cohesive measure is particularly praiseworthy. However, the lack of Canadian norms may be a factor for use in that geographic region. Overall, the authors have produced a commendable tool with appropriate and adequate psychometric properties that will likely prove beneficial to school psychologists and other classroom personnel.
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      – TitleFull: Test Review: D. D. Hammill & S. C. Larsen 'Test of Written Language-Fourth Edition.' (TOWL-4). Austin, TX--PRO-ED, 2009
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