WRITING
TOWL‑4: Test of Written Language–Fourth Edition Donald D. Hammill • Stephen C. Larsen AGES: 9-0 through 17-11 TESTING TIME: 60 to 90 minutes ADMINISTRATION: Individual or group The fourth edition of the Test of Written Language (TOWL‑4) is a norm-referenced, comprehensive diagnostic test of written expression. It is used to (a) identify students who write poorly and, therefore, need special help; (b) determine students’ particular strengths and weaknesses in various writing abilities; (c) document students’ progress in special writing programs; and (d) measure writing in research. The test was normed on 2,505 individuals from 18 states whose demographic characteristics approximate those of the U.S. population in 2005. The sample was stratified by age. SUBTESTS The TOWL-4 has two forms (Form A and Form B), each of which contains seven subtests. The subtests represent the conventional, linguistic, and conceptual aspects of writing. Subtests 1–5 use contrived formats; subtests 6–7 use a spontaneously written story to assess important aspects of language. The subtests are as follows: 1. Vocabulary —The student writes a sentence that incorporates a stimulus word (e.g.: For ran , a student writes, “I ran up the hill”). 2. Spelling —The student writes sentences from dictation, making proper use of spelling rules. 3. Punctuation —The student writes sentences from dictation, making proper use of punctuation and capitalization rules. 4. Logical Sentences —The student edits an illogical sentence so that it makes better sense (e.g.: “John blinked his nose” is changed to “John blinked his eye”). 5. Sentence Combining —The student integrates the meaning of several short sen- tences into one grammatically correct written sentence (e.g.: “John drives fast” is combined with “John has a red car,” making “John drives his red car fast”). 6. Contextual Conventions —The student writes a story in response to a stimulus picture. Points are earned for satisfying specific arbitrary requirements relative to orthographic (e.g., punctuation, spelling) and grammatic (e.g., sentence con- struction, noun–verb agreement) conventions. 7. Story Composition —The student’s story is evaluated relative to the quality of its composition (e.g., vocabulary, plot, prose, development of characters, interest to the reader).
COMPOSITES 1. Overall Writing assesses students’ writing ability when measured by subtests that use both spontaneous and contrived formats. The results of all seven subtests are combined to form this composite. 2. Contrived Writing assesses students’ writing ability when measured by subtests that are of contrived formats. The results of five subtests are combined to form this composite. 3. Spontaneous Writing estimates students’ writing ability when measured by sub- tests that are scored by evaluating their spontaneously composed essays. The results of two subtests are combined to form this composite. FEATURES OF THE TOWL‑4 • All-new normative data were collected in 2006–2007. • Now grade-based norms, as well as age-based norms, are provided. • Almost all floor and ceiling effects have been eliminated. • Studies of criterion-prediction validity (with large numbers of participants) have been added. • Studies of the TOWL‑4’s sensitivity, specificity, and false positives have been added to the manual. • The test items were evaluated to eliminate bias • Attractive new colored stimulus pictures are provided. COMPLETE TOWL‑4 KIT INCLUDES: Examiner’s Manual; 3 Large Colored Picture Cards; 50 4-page Record/Story Scoring Forms; 25 12-page Student Response Booklets Form A; 25 12-page Student Response Booklets Form B; and Supplemental Practice Scoring Booklet, all in a sturdy storage box. (©2009) #12850 TOWL‑4 Complete Kit $349.00 #12851 TOWL‑4 Examiner’s Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . .............. 108.00 #12851E TOWL‑4 Virtual Examiner’s Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101.00 #12852E TOWL‑4 Virtual Picture Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . .............. 34.00 #12853 TOWL‑4 Record/Story Scoring Forms (50) . . . . . . . . ......... 71.00 #12854 TOWL‑4 Student Response Booklets Form A (25) . . . . . ...... 77.00 #12855 TOWL‑4 Student Response Booklets Form B (25) . . . . . ...... 77.00 #12856 TOWL-4 Supplemental Practice Scoring Booklet . . . . . . ...... FREE (free download at www.proedinc.com) This is a restricted product. Go to www.proedinc.com for details on user qualifications and to complete the User Acceptance Form.
Phone Orders (800) 897-3202 • Fax (800) 397-7633 • orders@proedinc.com PRO-ED • 1301 W. 25th Street • Suite 300 • Austin, TX 78705 • www.proedinc.com
44 | 2025–2026 ASSESSMENTS
Powered by FlippingBook