xiii, 92 p. : ill. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / In recent years, state and national policy created the need for higher accountability standards for student academic performance. This increased accountability creates an imperative to have a formative assessment system reflecting validity in inferences about the effectiveness of instruction and performance on statewide large-scale assessments. Curriculum-based measurement (CBM) satisfies both functions. However, research shows the predictive power of oral passage reading fluency (PRF) diminishes in middle and high school. Because of the decreased predictive validity of PRF in the upper grade levels, additional reading CBMs should be explored. This study compares PRF and Vocabulary CBM data for all sixth grade students in a school district using two statistical procedures: correlation and regression. The correlation coefficients were moderately high among PRF, Vocabulary CBM, and the Reading test in Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (OAKS). A regression analysis indicated that the Vocabulary CBM explained more variance than PRF in predicting reading performance on OAKS. A second multiple regression analysis introduced three non-performance indicators (Gender, Attendance, and NCLB At-Risk), along with the two CBMs (Vocabulary and PRF). The second regression results revealed that Vocabulary again was more predictive than PRF, Gender, Attendance, or NCLB At-Risk. At-Risk status was the only non-performance indicator that was significant. All the findings have been discussed within the context of understanding reading skills using CBMs and their relation to performance on a large-scale test used for accountability. The findings have been framed as part of an information system that allows schools and districts to better tailor staffing, instruction, and schedules to student needs. Suggestions for future research also have been discussed, particularly in enhancing the predictions on large-scale test outcomes using a variety of CBMs. / Committee in charge: Gerald Tindal, Chairperson, Educational Methodology, Policy, and Leadership; Paul Yovanoff, Member, Educational Methodology, Policy, and Leadership; Keith Hollenbeck, Member, Educational Methodology, Policy, and Leadership; Jean Stockard, Outside Member, Planning Public Policy & Mgmt

This study examined the relation and predictive validity of the three seventh-grade reading curriculum-based measurements (CBMs), (a) passage reading fluency, (b) vocabulary, and (c) comprehension, on student performance on the Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills Reading (OAKS-R). This question was examined using extant data collected from 857 seventh-grade students in a Pacific Northwest school district during spring quarter. Of the total sample of 857, only 557 students' records were analyzed: 499 general education students and 58 students with learning disabilities who met the a priori participation criteria of having scores on all three spring easyCBM Reading measures (PRF, VOC and MCRC) and an OAKS-R score. Correlational analysis revealed different outcomes for the two groups. For the general education population, the highest correlation coefficient was between CBM vocabulary and OAKS-R (r = .65). Follow-up regression analysis also indicated that CBM Vocabulary (&beta = .44) was the best predictor for students in the general education population. However, for students with learning disabilities, CBM comprehension was the most strongly correlated to OAKS-R (r = .60), and regression analysis showed comprehension (&beta = .40) as the best predictor of students' OAKS-R performance. When specific nonacademic variables were added to the regression model for general education, CBM vocabulary (&beta = .41) and CBM comprehension (&beta = .43) were still the best predictors for students in general education and students with learning disabilities, respectively. Practical implications of the predictive validity of the CBM reading measures for practitioners are discussed in relation to assessment, instruction, and resource allocations. Finally, suggestions for future research in the areas of improving CBM utility as a predictor of success on statewide assessments in reading at the middle school level are discussed.

Each year as a growing number of students with learning disabilities are included in statewide assessments, teacher perceptions and beliefs toward student achievement are being identified and examined. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001(NCLB) and the 2004 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 2004) raise the achievement expectations of students with disabilities and require that teachers are knowledgeable about state academic content and achievement standards (Thompson, Lazarus, Clapper, & Thurlow, 2006). State departments of education are responsible to ensure that teacher competencies and expectations are specific to the achievement of grade level content standards (Thompson, et al., 2006). Educational reform, increased knowledge in the teacher-learning process, and greater access to the general education curriculum require changes in instructional practice. This study investigated special education teachers' perceptions, backgrounds and beliefs related to test performance of third grade students with learning disabilities who passed the reading portion of the state assessment in Florida, the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). The comparative descriptive research design was used to identify these factors and their effects in the study (Creswell, 2002). Quantitative data collection was used. A survey instrument was developed to include information on teachers' background, beliefs, experience, and perceptions toward statewide assessments. The survey was sent to seventy six third grade teachers of students with learning disabilities. Teachers receiving the survey were categorized into two groups based on the outcome of the 2007 FCAT in reading. Significant differences between teacher responses were found in the areas of professional development for test accommodations, co-teaching, and working with professionals in the general curriculum. Response to survey items on service delivery models indicated that students who spend the majority of time in the general education classroom or in a resource room setting have increased student achievement on statewide assessments. Differences were also found between teachers on questions related to school location, percentage of minority students, students who are eligible for free and reduced lunch, and positions employees held in education by the teachers in the study. One of the most significant findings of this study concluded that increased time spent in the general education classroom and collaboration of special education teachers with general education staff proved to be most beneficial when addressing the needs of students with learning disabilities and statewide assessment. The concept of teacher knowledge base and continued awareness of perceptions andbeliefs addressed in this study allowed for further research investigations.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Idaho, 2005. / Also available online in PDF format. Abstract. "April 2005." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 116-118).