The Validity of Receptive and Expressive Vocabulary Measures with Spanish-Speaking Kindergarteners Learning English

Abstract

Research examined construct meaning and validity for two new measures of receptive and expressive vocabulary for Spanish-speaking kindergarteners learning English. Substantive validity and generalizability of score meaning was assessed by examining correlations between an established measure (Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test–PPVT) and new measures (Stanford English Language Proficiency Test–SELP; Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills, Word Use Fluency, DIBELS–WUF). Positive correlations between the SELP and PPVT supported validity of the SELP as a measure of receptive and expressive vocabulary for these children. DIBELS–WUF results were less clear with lower correlations between the PPVT raising questions about appropriateness.

Notes

^a Significant correlation using Bonferroni method to control for Type-I error.