Selected short-term memory tests as predictors of reading readiness

✍ Scribed by Kirk R. John

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1998
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 42 KB
• Volume: 35
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0033-3085
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1520-6807(199804)35:2<137::aid-pits5>3.0.co;2-m

✦ Synopsis

Three standardized measures of short-term memory (STM) were compared to determine their relative efficacy in predicting reading achievement for primary grade students (n ϭ 36) over a twoyear time period. Regression analyses revealed that not all of the STM tests were significant ( p Ͻ .05) predictors of reading. Moreover, predictive power varied as a function of the reading skill assessed (e.g., decoding or comprehension) and the grade placement of the student. A letter sequences test was found to be the task most frequently associated with reading performance. A memory-forsentences task also showed a significant relationship to certain aspects of reading. However, a word sequences test was found not to be predictive of reading achievement. Implications for test selection and remedial planning are discussed.