Learning Disability and Reading Comprehension Assessments
Nelson Denny Reading Comprehension Test
SASS offers the Nelson Denny Reading Test to assess reading skills including vocabulary,
reading comprehension, and reading fluency (speed). Students may self-refer for a
reading assessment by contacting the SASS office for a consultation. After the assessment,
students will receive recommendations and suggestions for improving reading skills.
We will discuss reading improvement strategies based on assessment results and may
suggest enrollment in GUID 143 for a more thorough assessment.
Nelson Denny Overview
The Nelson Denny Reading Test is an assessment tool that measures reading abilities. The test’s questions focus on comprehension – that is the ability to understand written text – and vocabulary, the student’s knowledge of words.
The test can identify students who require more support and reading instruction. The
assessment is not used to diagnose disorders.
The Nelson Denny Test consists of multiple-choice questions based on reading passages.
These questions assess the candidate’s ability to interpret and analyze text effectively.
Within the Nelson Denny test are two main sections: Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary.
The Reading Comprehension section consists of 36 to 38 questions to be answered in 20 minutes. The Vocabulary component includes 80 to 100 questions, and you will have 15 minutes to answer these.
This refers to the ability to understand, analyze, and interpret various written passages. In this section, you will need to focus on main ideas, supporting details, inferences, and conclusions. Using these skills, you will choose the correct multiple-choice options for each question.
There will typically be a passage of text that you need to read and understand. Your next task will be to answer questions about what you have just read.
In the Vocabulary section, you will be evaluating knowledge of word meanings, synonyms,
and identifying their appropriate usage.
These questions are also multiple-choice and require you to select the correct definition
or word based on its context.
You are likely to be presented with a word and several possible meanings. To score a point, you will need to identify the correct definition.
Following the exam, your correct answers will be converted into a number using the Nelson Denny Reading Test scoring chart. Your number represents the grade level that matches your reading skills.
After receiving your results, you can work with a Learning Disability Specialist to develop a plan to support your reading skills. Depending on your reading level, the Learning Disability Specialist may recommend audiobooks, text-to-speech software, the use of a Rocket Pen and/or other strategies to support your learning.
Reach out to the SASS office today to discuss testing! Students can self-refer or
staff/faculty can recommend the service. Testing will be offered in a small-group
setting. Independent testing may be available upon request.
SASS Contact Information:
Phone: 707-476-4280
Email: sass@redwoods.edu
Office: Eureka Campus: LRC 101 (back left corner of the Library/LRC)
Del Norte Campus: Main building, on the far side of the LRC.
GUID 143: Individualized Assessment and Academic Planning
Guidance 143 is a 0.5 unit, pass/no pass course designed to provide students with an in-depth, individualized assessment to determine the presence of a learning disability. Even students who are tested and found to not have a learning disability receive valuable information about their learning style and strategies to best enhance learning. Students who qualify as having a learning disability will qualify for accommodations through SASS.
GUID 143: Learning Disability FAQs
A learning disability is a permanent cognitive disorder that affects the manner in which individuals with average to above average intelligence take in, retain, and/or express information. Like interference on the radio or a fuzzy TV picture, incoming or outgoing information may become scrambled as it travels between the eye or ear and the brain.
Testing is a way to determine learning differences that cannot be explained by other conditions or circumstances. We usually use two tests, an ability test and an achievement test. We compare scores within the tests and between them.
No. The testing model we follow determines eligibility for services only. A diagnosis is a determination by a licensed professional. You may take your test results to a licensed educational psychologist for further evaluation, but if you need a diagnosis for some reason you may want to start with a psychologist or educational psychologist.
Yes and maybe. An eligibility determination from one of our Learning Disability Specialists is good at any California Community College. Other schools may – or may not – accept our results or testing. Most schools have their own criteria for determining eligibility. We cannot guarantee other institutions will accept our test results, but some have.
Testing can help students understand their educational strengths and weaknesses and inform strategy development to overcome academic challenges.
22.5 hours: 6.5 hours of assessment with the Learning Disability Specialist, and 16 hours of tutoring in the LIGHT Center. Additional testing may be warranted and will count toward the 22.5 hour requirement.
Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, and Dysgraphia are kinds of learning disabilities. Testing can help identify your specific issue. Learning disability testing does not evaluate general psychological conditions, but learning disabilities are often found in individuals with those conditions. Also, for instance, having a learning disability can cause anxiety about school or testing. Learning disability testing can help us understand what is going on and address it. We do not offer assessments for ADHD or Autism, but we can help you find a provider who can assess you for those conditions.
All students are encouraged to access the LIGHT Center to receive one-on-one specialized support. Students can receive tutoring and/or work with a specialist to develop academic skills and strategies to overcome challenges they may be facing.
Resources:
How to describe your learning disability to your instructors (PDF)
Math Learning Disabilities
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- This article provides an excellent overview of math learning problems for students with math-related disabilities. It presents numerous approaches for teaching specific skills for specific learning problems.
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- This overview of dyscalculia describes the learning disability of dyscalculia, its effects, how it manifests itself in different stages of life, warning signs, how to identify it, and how to manage it.
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- Often referred to as dyscalculia, math-related learning disabilities are complex and
require intervention by skillful teachers to help students achieve success. We’ve
gathered informative resources here for both parents and educators regarding learning
disabilities in mathematics
- Often referred to as dyscalculia, math-related learning disabilities are complex and
require intervention by skillful teachers to help students achieve success. We’ve
gathered informative resources here for both parents and educators regarding learning
disabilities in mathematics