Model Selection for Cogitative Diagnostic Analysis of the Reading Comprehension Test

Reading subskills are generally regarded as continuous variables, while most models used in the previous reading diagnoses have the hypothesis that the latent variables are dichotomous. Considering that the multidimensional item response theory (MIRT) model has continuous latent variables and can be used for diagnostic purposes, this study compared the performances of MIRT with two representatives of traditionally widely used models in reading diagnoses [reduced reparametrized unified model (R-RUM) and generalized deterministic, noisy, and gate (G-DINA)]. The comparison was carried out with both empirical and simulated data. First, model-data fit indices were used to evaluate whether MIRT was more appropriate than R-RUM and G-DINA with real data. Then, with the simulated data, relations between the estimated scores from MIRT, R-RUM, and G-DINA and the true scores were compared to examine whether the true abilities were well-represented, correct classification rates under different research conditions for MIRT, R-RUM, and G-DINA were calculated to examine the person parameter recovery, and the frequency distributions of subskill mastery probability were also compared to show the deviation of the estimated subskill mastery probabilities from the true values in the general value distribution. The MIRT obtained better model-data fit, gained estimated scores being a more reasonable representation for the true abilities, had an advantage on correct classification rates, and showed less deviation from the true values in frequency distributions of subskill mastery probabilities, which means it can produce more accurate diagnostic information about the reading abilities of the test-takers. Considering that more accurate diagnostic information has greater guiding value for the remedial teaching and learning, and in reading diagnoses, the score interpretation will be more reasonable with the MIRT model, this study recommended MIRT as a new methodology for future reading diagnostic analyses.

Reading Skills in Down Syndrome: Implications for Clinical Practice

Though children with Down syndrome can learn to read, they may have difficulty developing some component skills, including phonological awareness and word decoding. Given reading's foundation in language, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) should play a central role in supporting access to and providing reading instruction for children with Down syndrome. This article reviews the available research on reading in Down syndrome and offers guidance for SLPs working with this population. We start by reviewing the Down syndrome phenotype, highlighting physical features and cognitive and linguistic patterns of strength and weakness that impact reading development. Next, we define different reading subskills and outline typical reading development, including stages of prereading, learning to read, and transitioning to using reading as a tool for learning. We then use these stages to review what is known about reading in Down syndrome, including relevant intervention work. We also incorporate considerations for clinical practice. In particular, we encourage SLPs to advocate for supporting reading development in children with Down syndrome, to work with families to develop rich home literacy environments, and to work with educators to promote phonological awareness and decoding skills. Lastly, we note limitations in our current knowledge and include a call for more research.

ARE MIGRANT STUDENTS CLOSING THE GAP?

Since 2015, increased numbers of newly immigrated schoolchildren in Europe have resulted in divergent, often ad hoc measures to provide for their education. Because the basis of classroom learning is information found in written texts, the development of grade-level reading skills is of central importance. However, little is known about immigrant students’ reading skills at and following transition, and no data is available for Germany, where the study was conducted. We report the results of a longitudinal study in which migrant students’ (N = 136) reading subskills after transition into mainstream were investigated at three points over the course of 2 years and compared to cohort performance (N = 517) in grades 7 through 9. Results showed that immigrant students performed significantly below mainstream students on all measures for all data points, with little evidence that they are beginning to close the gap even after several years in mainstream.

Nontransparent Compound Character Learning in L2 Chinese: Does Radical Awareness Always Work?

Chinese character learning requires various reading subskills, such as radical awareness and character knowledge. Radical awareness refers to learners’ ability to identify, analyze, and apply semantic radicals in compound characters. Previous studies have shown that radical awareness and character knowledge facilitate learning semantically transparent characters. Yet, little is known regarding whether radical awareness plays an active role in the meaning retention for nontransparent characters. The meanings of transparent characters, such as “河” (river) containing the radical “氵” (water), are related to the semantic category of the radicals within the characters, whereas the meanings of nontransparent characters, such as “淑” (kind and gentle) with the same radical “氵,” are not directly related to the radicals. To fill these gaps, this study included 39 L2 Chinese learners at one American university. They completed one character-learning session, and five radical-related and character-related tasks. The results suggested that radical awareness did not positively affect the meaning retention for nontransparent characters when learners’ character knowledge was controlled. In addition, character knowledge was a moderator, which shaped the relationship between radical awareness and character retention. Pedagogical implications for the understanding of L2 Chinese compound character learning are discussed.

Longitudinal stability of reading profiles in individuals with higher functioning autism

The reading difficulties of individuals with autism spectrum disorders have been established in the literature, with particular attention drawn toward reading comprehension difficulties. Recent papers have highlighted the heterogeneous nature of reading abilities in this population by utilizing statistical methods that allow for investigations of unique reading profiles. This article extends this literature by investigating reading profiles longitudinally, to investigate the stability of reader profiles across time. Latent profile and transition analyses were conducted to establish categorically distinct reading profiles at two time points, 30 months apart. This study also examined whether age and autism symptom severity were related to the profiles at each time point. Finally, transitions between profiles at each time point were identified. Age did not predict profile membership, but there were significant differences in symptom severity that were largely stable over time. Results indicate that heterogeneous reading profiles exist within the autism population, ranging from average reading ability to severe difficulties across different reading subskills. The data from this study demonstrate that reading profiles of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders shift when examined across time.