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Correct word sequences

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Correct word sequences is a writing measure that counts each pair of adjacent words that is correctly spelled and grammatically acceptable in context.

Topic: Measurement and data collection

In plain terms

After a timed writing prompt, often three minutes, the scorer looks at each pair of neighboring words, including the sentence start and end. A pair counts if both words are spelled right and the pair makes sense with correct grammar and punctuation. The total reflects spelling, grammar and sentence sense together, not just length.

How it shows up in an IEP

Correct word sequences gives writing goals a number that can be graphed: "will write 35 correct word sequences in 3 minutes on a grade-level story starter." Pair it with a rubric for ideas and organization, which this count does not capture.

Example

A student writes "The dog runned fast." The pairs start-The, The-dog and fast-period are correct; dog-runned and runned-fast are not, for 3 correct word sequences.

Related terms

  • Correct letter sequencesCorrect letter sequences is a spelling measure that counts each pair of adjacent letters, including word boundaries, that are written correctly.
  • Written expressionWritten expression is the ability to communicate ideas in writing, including planning, organizing, writing sentences and revising.
  • RubricA rubric is a scoring guide that describes several levels of quality for each part of a task, so work can be scored consistently.
  • Work sample (permanent product)A work sample is a lasting product of a student's work, such as a writing piece or completed worksheet, that can be scored after the task is done.
  • Curriculum-based measurement (CBM)Curriculum-based measurement is a set of brief, standardized, timed probes that measure a general skill, such as reading or math, to track growth over time.

On IEP Atlas

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