(OWLS™-II) Oral and Written Language Scales, Second Edition

Building on the theory and research underpinning the original OWLS, the second edition of this test offers an integrated, global approach to language assessment. The OWLS-II adds a Reading Comprehension Scale, updated norms, new items, a parallel form, improved scoring guidelines, and full-color stimulus materials. Moreover, a helpful new handbook, Foundations of Language Assessment, explains the theory upon which the OWLS-II is based, making it easier to understand the test and interpret results.

Measuring four language processes—separately and with one another—this second edition gives a complete and accurate picture of language skills.

More Than the Sum of Its Parts

The OWLS-II evaluates four language processes on four separate scales: Listening Comprehension, Oral Expression, Reading Comprehension, and Written Expression. Each of these scales assesses four linguistic structures:

• Lexical/Semantic
• Syntactic
• Pragmatic
• Supralinguistic

Because it looks at the same linguistic structures across four distinct language processes, the OWLS-II provides a heavily detailed, coherent, and integrated assessment. Although the scales can be used separately, together they provide a comprehensive score profile to pinpoint language delays, identify strengths and weaknesses in each area, and guide intervention.

LC/OE Scales

Together, the Listening Comprehension and Oral Expression Scales assess receptive and expressive language in 3- through 21-year-olds. Individually administered, both use basals and ceilings to ensure that examinees are given only items that closely approximate their ability levels. Neither scale requires reading on the examinee’s part, and both scales feature colorful, updated artwork that’s balanced in terms of race, gender, and physical differences.

The Listening Comprehension Scale uses a convenient easel to measure receptive language. The examiner reads a stimulus word or phrase aloud, and the student responds by indicating one of four pictures that best depicts the word’s meaning. Correct responses are printed on the examiner’s side of the easel and the Record Form—permitting easy, on-the-spot scoring.

The Oral Expression Scale, with its own handy easel, measures expressive language, requiring the examinee to answer questions, finish sentences, and generate sentences in response to visual and oral prompts. To simplify scoring, common responses (correct and incorrect) are printed on the Record Form. Alternative responses that are acceptable are provided to accommodate students who speak African-American English.

RC/WE Scales

The OWLS-II assesses written language on two scales, Reading Comprehension and Written Expression, both for ages 5 to 21.

By pinpointing the basis of deficits in reading and writing skills, the RC/WE Scales help assess language-based learning disabilities. Together, these two scales comprise a high-level achievement test that assesses reading and written language.

New to the second edition, the Reading Comprehension Scale measures receptive aspects of written language. Being based on the same theory and structure as the other OWLS-II scales, it is uniquely effective in identifying language factors that may impair or facilitate reading comprehension. It measures the same linguistic structures as the other scales, as well as text structure. Items typically require the student to read a prompt and choose one of four response options. Again, correct responses are conveniently listed on the Record Form and the examiner’s side of the easel.

The Written Expression Scale, which measures the expressive aspects of written language, has been significantly improved in the OWLS-II. Item additions and revisions enhance the scale’s validity and scope, as well as its ability to elicit a variety of responses and assess higher functioning individuals. The scoring guidelines are also more explicit and provide more detailed results.

This scale uses age-based item sets, rather than basals and ceilings, to ensure that only developmentally appropriate items are administered. Each set includes 14 to 18 items that involve writing tasks similar to what students may encounter in the classroom. Some tasks are open-ended, asking the examinee to complete a story or write a paragraph, for example. Others are structured, requiring the student to fill in blanks or write a dictated sentence. Together, these writing tasks measure the four linguistic structures assessed by the other OWLS-II scales, as well as conventions (spelling, punctuation/capitalization, letter formation) and text structure (organization, details, cohesion).

The examiner presents oral, written, and pictorial prompts, and examinees write their answers in a Response Booklet. The Record Form provides brief scoring rules for reference, and the Manual supplies detailed instructions and examples, as well as guidelines for a qualitative rating of select items. Each Record Form includes item analysis worksheets, allowing quick and qualitative evaluation of strengths and weaknesses.

A New Parallel Form

The Second Edition introduces a parallel form that allows you to retest students on all scales after a brief interval. Form B, which can be used with examinees ages 5 and up, makes it easier to monitor language development over time.

Scores in Several Useful Formats

All four scales provide age- and grade-based standard scores, test-age equivalents, grade equivalents, percentile ranks, and descriptive labels (Exceptional, Above Average, Average, Below Average, or Possibly Disordered). Scale scores can be combined to produce five Composites: Oral Language, Written Language, Receptive Language, Expressive Language, and Overall Language.

The OWLS-II Profile Form—included in the Comprehensive Kits and available as a free download—gives you a clear, graphic representation of the examinee’s performance in each area.

All OWLS-II scales are normed on the same sample of 2,123 subjects, from 3 to 21 years of age, and are nationally representative in terms of gender, ethnicity, geographic region, and parent education. Age-stratified norms are provided at 3-month intervals for ages 3 to 7, at 6-month intervals for ages 8 to 12, at 1-year intervals for ages 13 to 15, and at multiyear intervals for ages 16 and up.

Optional Computer Scoring and Interpretation

The OWLS-II scoring program converts raw scores to scale scores, compares scale scores, calculates composites, and generates a graphic score profile. It also provides high-level item analysis and a narrative synopsis. This program saves time and gives you an extremely useful summary of test results.

Clinical, School, and Research Applications

Because its four scales measure both receptive and expressive oral and written language structures, cover a wide age range, and are co-normed, the OWLS-II is an excellent way to:

• Identify students with learning disabilities, language disorders, and related difficulties according to IDEA requirements
• Design targeted interventions that address potential academic difficulties
• Monitor progress using the new parallel form
• Gather longitudinal data for research purposes

Comprehensive, easy to administer, linked to classroom instruction, and rooted in an integrated theory of language, the OWLS-II provides the information you need to identify and remediate oral and written language problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Form A and B?

Form A begins at age 3 for LC/OE and Age 5 for RC/WE. Form B begins at age 5 for all scales. Aside from the starting age, the forms are parallel and can be used interchangeably. Form B can be given immediately after Form A (or vice versa) if there is a reason to do so.

Why are there no Form B kits?

Most individuals will begin with Form A and will purchase Form B for follow-up testing. Form B uses the same manuals as Form A and therefore the only materials needed for Form B are the easels, record forms, and WE response booklet. These materials are sold as “packs.”

What does the scoring software do?

The scoring software provides a narrative summary, as well as any score conversions. It also provides a detailed item analysis.

I bought the original OWLS recently. How long is it good for and when will I need to switch?

The new version does not automatically invalidate the original, we understand that it can take some time to transition to a new version. That being said, ethical guidelines for most professional organizations state that the most up-to-date tests should be used. There is no specific timeframe, but we recommend switching to the new version as soon as possible.

Will the new software support the old test?

No, the new software is only for the OWLS-II.

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