Purpose of these tests
Pretest measures on which we can compare samples are
necessary to ensure that groups are truly equivalent and to
establish any differences at the outset. The results of assessment
instruments used are recognised as representative of
performance criteria that may apply in the wider educational
context. The BPVS test was administered to establish
any statistical difference in verbal ability (which is recognised
to be highly correlated with IQ) between intervention
and control groups. The GRT II was administered to establish
any statistical differences between groups in reading
scores. The SWST was administered to establish any statistical
difference in spelling scores. The Dyslexia Screener
was administered to establish difficulties in key areas associated
with literacy difficulties, for example, speed of processing,
phonological knowledge and also to provide a
measure of fluid intelligence (missing pieces subtest) and
verbal intelligence (vocabulary subtest) while also providing
a second measure of reading performance and a spelling
test. It must be recognised that the spelling test in the
Dyslexia Screener requires recognition of spellings and not
recall, and therefore there should be caution in interpreting
the spelling results on this test as it could be argued that this
is not a true measure of spelling ability because it does not
require full recall of a given spelling.