Introducing
Woodcock-Muñoz
Language Survey
Revised Edition
Training Topics
• Overview
• Technical Qualities
• Administration
• Scoring the WMLS-R
• Interpretation
Authors
Richard W. Woodcock
Ana F. Muñoz-Sandoval
Mary L. Ruef
Criselda G. Alvarado
Components
• Test Book
• Comprehensive
Manual
• Audio CD
• Scoring Software
• Test Record with
Dictation
Worksheet
Overview
Uses
• Determine
 English and/or Spanish language proficiency
 Oral language dominance of bilingual
individuals
 Eligibility for bilingual education or ESL services
 Eligibility for gifted and talented programs
 Readiness for English-only instruction
• Monitor growth in language ability (English/Spanish)
• Assist in educational planning
• Evaluate program effectiveness
Administration Times
• Broad English Ability–Total (all 7 tests)
35–45 minutes
• Applied Language Proficiency (4 tests)
15–20 minutes
• Oral Language (2 tests)
7–10 minutes
Technical
Qualities
Validity Evidence
Test
Curricular Area
Narrow Ability
Test 1: Picture
Vocabulary
Oral Expression
Language development
Lexical knowledge
Test 2: Verbal Analogies
Receptive-Expressive
Vocabulary
Expressive vocabulary
Lexical knowledge
Language development
Induction
Sequential reasoning
Test 3: Letter-Word
Identification
Reading
Reading decoding
Test 4: Dictation
Spelling
Spelling ability
Writing Skills
Language development
English usage
Test 5: Understanding
Directions
Listening Comprehension
Listening ability
Language development
Test 6: Story Recall
Oral Expression
Language development
Listening ability
Meaningful memory
Test 7: Passage
Comprehension
Reading
Reading comprehension
Verbal (printed) language
comprehension
Content Coverage
• Each test has items at all levels of
difficulty to ensure coverage of the full
range of the underlying ability.
• Emphasis on the cluster level for
interpretation improves content validity
of broad ability measures.
Administration
Organization
English Forms
Organization
Spanish Form
General Guidelines for
Administration
• Arrange the setting
• Establish rapport
• Record identifying information
• Complete Language Exposure Information and
Language Use Questionnaire on Test Record
• Strive for exact and brisk administration
Seating Arrangement for
Primary Examiner
Recommended
seating
arrangement for
administering
the test.
Seating Arrangement for
Primary/Ancillary
Examiner
Recommended
seating
arrangement when
using
primary/ancillary
examiner team
approach.
Test Record
Identifying Information
General Guidelines for
Administration
• Use suggested starting points
• Know basal/ceiling rules
• Do not penalize for mispronunciations
due to articulation errors, variations in
dialect, or regional speech differences
Consult Chapters 3 and 4 of the WMLS-R
Comprehensive Manual for detailed
instructions on administration.
Suggested Starting Points
• Located behind tabs in Test Book
• Use estimated ability
Basal/Ceiling
Example
• Test backward by
complete pagesª to
establish basal.
• Test forward by
complete pagesª
until 6 highest
items administered
are incorrect to
establish ceiling.
ªTest by complete pages if items are visible on
examinee’s page.
Basal/Ceiling Example
• If the examinee does not
correctly answer 6 items,
then Item 1 serves as the
basal.
• After 6 consecutive
incorrect responses, the
ceiling is established.
Note: No items are visible on subject’s page so
the “test by complete page rule” does not apply.
Test 1: Picture Vocabulary
Vocabulario sobre dibujos
An oral language test that measures language
development and lexical knowledge
• Start: Use suggested starting points
• Basal: 6 consecutive lowest-numbered correct
• Ceiling: 6 consecutive highest-numbered
incorrect
• Test by complete pages
Test 1: Picture Vocabulary
Vocabulario sobre dibujos
Here is a picture of a car
(point) and a picture of a
dog (point). Put your
finger on the car.
Aquí se ve el dibujo de un
pájaro (señale) y el dibujo
de una flor (señale). Señala
(señale) la flor.
Basal/Ceiling Exercise
Test 1: Picture Vocabulary
Basal: 6 lowest correct
Ceiling: 6 highest incorrect
• Has a basal been
established?
• Has a ceiling been
established?
Test 2: Verbal Analogies
Analogías verbales
An oral language test that measures the ability to
reason using lexical knowledge
• Start: Administer sample items then select
appropriate starting point
• Basal: 6 consecutive lowest-numbered correct
• Ceiling: 6 consecutive highest-numbered incorrect
• Accept responses that differ only in verb tense or
number as correct, unless otherwise specified
Test 2: Verbal Analogies
Analogías verbales
Sample Items
Point to the first item on subject’s page
and say: Finish what I say—a fish
swims, a bird…(pause expectantly).
fish…swims bird…
A. Error or No Response
Say: A fish swims; a bird flies. Now try it again.
Repeat sample item a maximum of three times
until subject gives correct answer.
Señale el primer item en la página del
sujeto y diga: Completa [complete] lo
que yo diga – uno es a dos…como
tres es a…(haga una pausa y mire al
sujeto).
Uno…dos
tres…
Test 3: Letter-Word Identification
Identificación de letras y palabras
A reading test that measures letter and word
identification skills
• Start: Use suggested starting points
• Basal: 6 consecutive lowest-numbered correct
• Ceiling: 6 consecutive highest-numbered incorrect
• Test by complete pages
• Words must be read smoothly to receive credit
Test 3: Letter-Word Identification
Identificación de letras y palabras
2
M
Run your hand over subject’s
page and say: Point to the letter
on this page.
H
9
Deslice la mano por la página del
sujeto y diga: Señala [señale]
con el dedo la letra “H”.
Scoring the
WMLS-R
WMLS-R Scoring and Reporting
Program
• Included with WMLS-R test kit
• Generates all scores and profiles
• Provides a Standard Report (English only)
• Provides a Parent Report (English or Spanish)
• Provides a Group Average Report
Standard
Report
Available
in English
Standard Report
Table of Scores: English
English Language
Proficiency
Excerpt of Narrative and Summary
Levels of Cognitive-Academic
Language Proficiency (CALP)
Oral Language
Lenguaje oral
A two-test cluster that provides a brief measure of
listening and speaking skills, including language
development and verbal reasoning.
• Picture Vocabulary
• Verbal Analogies
Discuss results for student in Grade 2.9.
Test/CLUSTER
Raw
GE
EASY
DIFF
RPI
PR
SS (68% Band)
CALP
ORAL LANGUAGE
–-
3.0
1.7
4.7
91 / 90
52
101 (97-104)
4
Picture Vocabulary
29
2.3
K.9
3.8
85 / 90
40
96 (92-101)
–
Verbal Analogies
18
3.8
2.4
5.9
95 / 90
67
107 (101-112)
–