TOPEL: Test of Preschool Early Literacy

Identifies preschoolers who are at risk for literacy problems

Testing Time: 25 to 30 minutes
Administration: Individual

Children entering kindergarten or first grade are expected to have sufficient knowledge of vocabulary, phonological awareness, and print knowledge. The Test of Preschool Early Literacy (TOPEL) is a theoretically sound instrument designed to identify preschoolers who are at risk for literacy problems; therefore, allowing early intervention. It is easy to administer; early childhood educators, special educators, psychologists, diagnosticians, and other professionals who are interested in examine skills related to early literacy can administer the test. It provides valid and reliable raw scores, standard scores, and percentiles. The normative sample consists of 842 preschool-aged children (3 to 5 years), residing in 12 states. The TOPEL has three principle uses:

1. Identification: Results from the TOPEL subtests are useful for documenting a child’s print, oral vocabulary, and phonological awareness ability
2. Documentation of Progress: Federal statutes, state laws, and/or school district policies at times require documentation of progress
3. Research: Educators can use this instrument to determine intervention-related change or to select students for research participation

• Subtest 1: Print Knowledge 36 items; measures alphabet knowledge and early knowledge about written language conventions and form; the child is asked to identify letters and written words, point to specific letters, names specific letters, identify letters associated with specific sounds, and say the sounds associated with specific letters
• Subtest 2: Definitional Vocabulary 35 items; measures single-word oral vocabulary and definitional vocabulary (assesses both surface and deep vocabulary knowledge); the child is shown a picture and asked to tell what the picture is, and to describe one of its important features
• Subtest 3: Phonological Awareness 27 items; measures word elision and blending abilities; the child is asked to say a word, then say what is left after dropping out specific sounds (elision) for the first 12 items; the child is asked to listen to separate sounds and combine them to form a word (blending) for the remaining 15 items.

COMPLETE TOPEL KIT INCLUDES: Examiner’s Manual, Picture Book and 25 Record Booklets all in a sturdy storage box. (©2007)

User Qualifications:

“All test users, regardless of level and profession, are expected to abide by the standards set forth by the APA, AERA and NCME regarding the ethical use, protection and dissemination of all test materials.

All orders for the products listed below cannot be completed online, they must be placed on official institutional purchase order forms or professional letterhead. For questions or help placing your order for these items call (800) 880-4433.