The TOWL-4 is a norm-referenced, comprehensive diagnostic test of written expression. It is used to (a) identify students who write poorly and need special help, (b) determine students’ particular strengths and weaknesses in their writing abilities, (c) document students’ progress in special writing programs, and (d) measure writing in research. This written language test can be used with children and youth ranging in age from 7-0 to 17-11.
How to Use the Asssessment
The TOWL-4 can be administered to either an individual or a group and takes between 60 to 90 minutes to complete.
The TOWL-4 includes two forms (i.e., Form A and Form B), each of which contains seven subtests. The subtests represent the conventional, linguistic, and conceptual aspects of writing. Subtests 1 to 5 use contrived formats; subtests 6 to 7 use a spontaneously written story to assess important aspects of language.
The test has three composite scores—Overall Writing, Contrived Writing and Spontaneous Writing. Overall Writing estimates 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. Contrived Writing estimates students’ writing ability when measured by subtests that are contrived formats. The results of five subtests are combined to form this composite. Spontaneous Writing estimates students’ writing ability when measured by subtests that are scored by evaluating their spontaneously composed essays. The results of two subtests are combined to form this composite.
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- Sentence Combining
- Story Composition
- Logical Sentences
- Contextual Conventions