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The Test of Word Reading Efficiency (TOWRE) used in an Australian context
journal contribution
posted on 2017-12-06, 00:00 authored by Bruce KnightBruce Knight, Susan GalletlySusan GalletlyAustralian results on PISA 200 (Program for International Student Assessment; OECD, 2002) show polarized reading achievement, with large proportions of strong readers (>40%) but also large proportions of weak readers (>30%). From the results it would seem that current instruction meets any readers’ needs, but not those of this lower third. With reading accuracy not emphasised in Australian reading instruction in recent decades, reading accuracy difficulties may underlie this weak achievement. This paper discusses issues that underlie the optimising of reading instruction in Australia, the importance of applied research at school level in resolving these issues, and the merits of use of rigorous reading accuracy tests in this research. The Test of Word Reading Efficiency (TOWRE) is discussed as a potential test for gathering such evidence and data, and the findings from testing of 1200 students in one Queensland region are dicusssed.
Funding
Category 1 - Australian Competitive Grants (this includes ARC, NHMRC)
History
Volume
11Issue
3Start Page
139End Page
145Number of Pages
7ISSN
1324-8928Location
Victoria, AustraliaPublisher
ACERLanguage
en-ausPeer Reviewed
- Yes
Open Access
- No
External Author Affiliations
Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Education;Era Eligible
- Yes