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Language Assessment Scales Oral (LAS-O) - English





Test Name: Language Assessment Scales Oral (LAS-O) - English
Publisher: CTB/McGraw Hill
Publication Date: 1990
Test Type: Language Proficiency
Content: Speaking/Listening in L2
Language: English
Target Population: English Language Learner (ELL)
Grade Level: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12
Administration Time: Untimed/Guidelines
Standardized: Yes
Purpose: Identification; Language Dominance; Placement; Proficiency

Abstract:
The Language Assessment Scales - Oral (LAS - O) in English measure the oral language skills necessary to succeed in an American mainstream academic environment for grades 1-12. It may be used as: 1) A diagnostic device which provides identification, placement and reclassification information for language minority students, and 2) An evaluation of progress for both the student and the program. For a comprehensive evaluation of language ability, it should be used with the LAS Reading /Writing instrument. The three resulting classifications are Fluent English Speaker, Limited English Speaker, and Non-English Speaker. Level 1 of the LAS - O is for grades 1-6 and Level 2 is for grades 7-12. Two equivalent forms are available at each level. The Oral Language Component of the test has three parts: 1) Vocabulary, which contains Name That Picture in which students produce labels for concrete nouns commonly found in the public school environment, and Action Words which assesses the ability to produce the -ing form of commonly used verbs; 2) Listening Comprehension which contains one dialogue and 10 yes-no questions; and, 3) Story Retelling in which the student listens to a story which is supported with four cartoon-type drawings and then retells the story in his own words. The Pronunciation Component has two parts: 1) Minimal Sound Pairs, which tests auditory discrimination of minimal-pair items, and 2) Phonemes, in which the student is tested on his ability to pronounce specific phonemes embedded in words, phrases, and short sentences. Scoring of the objective sections of the test is done by the test administrator while the test is in progress, but some parts of the scoring require more deliberation. The Story Retelling section must be scored by proficient, literate speakers of English who have participated in a reliability exercise and have attained a reliability level of 90%. Coefficient alpha reliability estimates for Minimal Pairs, Phonemes, and Vocabulary sections are in the high .80s, while Listening scores range from the .30s to the .90s. The LAS - O was normed on 3,600 students in Texas and California. A Spanish version of the test exists and has undergone a separate study of reliability and validity.


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