Developing the Test of Early Arabic Literacy Skills

• In Event: International Relations Committee Paper Session 2

Abstract

Stronger Arabic literacy development has emerged as a critically important issue in Arabic speaking nations. Low literacy rates are partially rooted in the limited instructional curricula, that fail to explicitly teach students the foundational early literacy skills that promote strong word reading. A necessary first step is the development of standardized assessments that: 1) align with the construct of reading, 2) inform instructional planning, and 3) identify students potentially at-risk for poor reading outcomes. In this presentation, we will share the theoretical framework and research synthesis that guides the development of the Test of Early Arabic Literacy Skills (TEALS), as well as results of initial studies to evaluate its psychometric properties.

Authors

• Evelyn Johnson, Boise State University

• Elsayed Elshabrawi A. Hassanein, Qatar University