All about TOD: using the Screener in remote Tests of Dyslexia assessment

First: Know your materials

The TOD comes in four kit ‘types’: the Screener kit, the Early kit, the Comprehensive kit, and the Combination kit. It is important to note that while every Early, Comprehensive and Combination kit comes with the necessary screening materials (because screening is a part of every TOD assessment), they are sold strictly with paper and pencil materials (though every kit includes access to free online scoring for those who prefer it to manual scoring).

Digital materials for TOD-S must be purchased separately in the TOD Online Screener kit, and Digital Easels must be purchased separately to use the TOD-E and TOD-C remotely.

So, can I administer TOD remotely?

Yes, you can.

While only the TOD Online Screener kit comes with everything already provided for remote online administration – including the online administration guide in PDF format, the ability to email links to online record books (with the timed subtest automatically timing out on screen) and automatic validation and scoring – remote administration is possible with all kit types with some planning and tweaking.

For the Early and Comprehensive kits, remote administration is possible (and was included in the TOD’s standardisation) but this does require purchase of digital easels and posting record books ahead of the administration session. And as always, administrators should familiarise themselves with the logistics of administration prior to any testing sessions.

Using TOD-S remotely

The TOD-S gives a Dyslexia Risk Index (DRI) score and is a valuable tool in determining next steps for dyslexia assessment and intervention, and possibly even determining access arrangements for some colleges, universities and occupational settings. Even assessors not opting to continue on with the Early or Comprehensive assessments may still find the insights provided in the Dyslexia Interventions and Recommendations book useful when considering next steps.

In brief, the TOD-S:

• Covers ages 5 years, 0 months–89 years, 11 months 
• Can be administered individually or in groups within the same age range
• Can be administered by classroom teachers, SpLD assessors, educational psychologists and others
• Boasts a quick 10-15 minute administration time

TOD-S includes three tests:

1. Picture Vocabulary measures receptive vocabulary knowledge by having the test taker select which one of four pictures matches the meaning of the word they hear.
2. Letter and Word Choice measures the test taker’s ability to recognise letters and correctly spelled words from four options.
3. Timed Word Reading Fluency (Reception and Years 1 & 2) or Question Reading Fluency (Year 3 –adulthood) measures reading automaticity by having the test taker select the word that matches the picture (for Word Reading) or answers the question (for Question Reading).

Interested in learning more about the TOD Screener or other kits?

We will be available at the upcoming SASC virtual conference on 16^th May, and you can find our FAQs, as well as case studies, videos and much more from TOD publisher WPS here.