The Phonic Inventories: Using spelling error patterns to identify children with potential learning difficulties
Date
2008-05-19T12:58:10Z
Authors
Grasko, Dina Nicole
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Abstract
The Phonic Inventories are an instrument consisting of three spelling tests. This study explored the
potential of this instrument to be used in group administration to identify children with potential
learning difficulties. This was done with a sample of full-time mainstream and full-time remedial
learners.
A repeated measures ANOVA was used to establish if the Phonic Inventories could distinguish the
spelling error patterns of learners in different grades for mainstream and remedial. A distinct pattern
of key errors was found, which was similar for mainstream and remedial learners. There were
performance changes over grade for mainstream learners but not for remedial learners. This
suggests the Phonic Inventories may be measuring an underlying spelling ability which progresses
in normal learners and not remedial learners.
A stepwise regression analysis was used to establish whether the Phonic Inventories predict
performance on contrast spelling tests. A good degree of fit was found between the tests, suggesting
the Phonic Inventories are measuring the same abilities as other spelling tests, with the advantage of
providing additional information.
Finally, a discriminant analysis found errors made on the Phonic Inventories to predict group
affiliation between the mainstream and remedial group to a good degree.
It was concluded that the Phonic Inventories have strong potential as a group administered
screening instrument for identifying children with potential learning difficulties.
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Keywords
phonic errors, learning disability, phonological awareness, reading, writing, spelling ability