GL Assessment's Dyslexia Portfolio is a must for teachers and SENCOs1 December 2008 – GL Assessment has today unveiled the Dyslexia Portfolio, a series of short diagnostic and attainment tests that is set to transform the way children with dyslexia are assessed and then supported in the classroom. Authored by Martin Turner, the Dyslexia Portfolio provides a comprehensive profile of a pupil who is experiencing difficulties in literacy learning or is giving cause for concern that he or she may be dyslexic. It is the third publication in GL Assessment’s popular dyslexia series, after the Dyslexia Screener and Dyslexia Guidance. The Dyslexia Portfolio consists of nine individual paper-based tests that can be used with pupils from the age of six upwards. On completion of the 40 minute assessment, teachers can pinpoint exactly where a child’s difficulties in reading, writing and spelling lie. This will make it easier for those providing learning support to pupils with dyslexia and other literacy and learning difficulties. It will also help ensure schools can put effective measures in place swiftly to help build pupils’ confidence and encourage greater achievement. Andrew Thraves, Group Head of Publishing at GL Assessment, said: “Dyslexia is a major cause of underachievement in schools. A recent study of seven and 11-year-olds found that 55% of pupils who failed to reach expected levels of reading and writing in national tests displayed all the signs of being dyslexic. The Dyslexia Portfolio will help specialist teachers and SENCOs in providing the best learning support to pupils with dyslexia so that they have every chance of reaching their full potential.” Martin Turner, the author of Dyslexia Portfolio, said: “Twelve years in teacher training have made clear to me the lack of any specialist package of diagnostic and attainment tests for dyslexia. Assuming general ability information is available from a test such as the Dyslexia Screener, a detailed investigation of the student with literacy-learning difficulties can now be performed with state-of-the-art tests in the Dyslexia Portfolio. The profile of strengths and weaknesses will enable the specialist teacher to devise and implement a relevant and sensitive multi-sensory programme, and I also believe that the Dyslexia Portfolio will be useful for those already trained and in a position to develop further their assessment effectiveness and scope.” The tests are quick and easy to administer, and results provide information on areas such as word reading and spelling ability, alphabetic and phonological skills, fluency of writing and short-term verbal memory. An online reporting feature enables schools to analyse individual scores so that the impact of any interventions put in place can be monitored to ensure they are supporting a child’s learning. The Portfolio also includes tests that support schools in assessing pupils’ eligibility for access arrangements in public examinations. Re-testing with the Portfolio enables the impact of the intervention to be assessed. The Dyslexia Portfolio follows the Dyslexia Screener (a CD-Rom assessment designed to help identify pupils with dyslexic tendencies) and Dyslexia Guidance (a handbook that offers advice on supporting dyslexic students in the classroom and in small group settings). Customers can purchase the Dyslexia Portfolio from www.gl-assessment.co.uk or by contacting Customer Services on 0845 6021937. The Dyslexia Portfolio costs £145.00 plus VAT.
- Ends - Notes to the Editor
About Martin Turner After working with three local authorities as an educational psychologist for fifteen years, Martin’s stance on reading standards and the systematic teaching of reading brought about a national revival of alphabetic teaching following his revelation of declining reading standards in 1990. Martin joined the Dyslexia Institute in June 1991 as Head of Psychology and has since become a leader in the psychological assessment of dyslexia. He has served on government committees for education and the training of teachers and was an editorial board member of Dyslexia Review. Since 2003, he has been self-employed, advising schools, consulting to the Centre for Child Evaluation and Teaching in Kuwait, authoring, consulting and conducting individual and group psychological assessments. He is the author or co-author of (amongst others): Psychological Assessment Of Dyslexia; London: Whurr, 1997; and Turner, M. and Rack, J.P. (eds) The Study of Dyslexia; New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum, 2004. Martin’s previous work for GL Assessment includes as co-author of the Dyslexia Screener (2004) and Dyslexia Guidance (2007). About GL Assessment GL Assessment is the UK’s leading independent provider of tests and assessment services for education. It publishes across the 4 -19 age range, with the majority of its assessments designed for 5-14 year-olds. e-assessment portal. Testwise is designed to take the work out of administering, scoring and analysing tests. Learners complete assessments online, and instant scoring gives teachers comprehensive results and analysis at the touch of a button. Many of GL Assessment’s most popular tests are now available online including the Cognitive Abilities Test, Group Reading Test, Suffolk Reading Scale, Progress in Maths and Progress in English. For further information, please contact Danielle Morgan PR and Events Manager Granada Learning Tel: 020 8996 3632 Email: danielle.morgan@gl-assessment.co.uk
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