(DSPT-R1) Decoding & Spelling Proficiency Test Revised
The Decoding and Spelling Proficiency Test-Revised (DSPT-R) is a test of oral word reading, printed word recognition, and spelling for ages 6 through 25 years. Initially created in 1982 by the late John Arena, founder of Academic Therapy Publications, the test has been updated with contemporary vocabulary and directions for its use as an RTI tool. Designed to be used by diagnosticians, psychologists, and remedial specialists, the DSPT-R provides a detailed profile of critical literacy skills that underlie reading and spelling.
The DSPT-R is comprised of four parts, each with 90 items:
Part 1: Decoding: The examinee reads aloud a list of words
Part 2: Visual Recognition: The examinee identifies correctly spelled words among incorrectly spelled distracters on a page
Part 3: Auditory-Visual Recognition: After hearing a word pronounced, the examinee identifies correctly spelled words among incorrectly spelled distracters on a page
Part 4: Spelling: The examinee writes words from dictation
Each part has two parallel forms that are appropriate for pre- and post-testing. Critical-range testing ensures that only items appropriate for the examinee's ability level are administered.
Administration and Scoring
The entire test can be completed in 25 to 40 minutes. Raw scores from each part are converted to standard scores, percentiles, and age equivalents. Criterion-based cutoff scores are also provided. A score profile indicates the areas of strength and weakness that can inform instructional decisions.
Michael Milone, PhD / John I. Arena, MA
Administration: Individual
Ages: 6 through 25
Norm-Referenced
