LPT-3:E Language Processing Test: Elementary

Ages: 5-0 through 11-11
Testing time: 35 minutes
Administration: individual

The LPT 3 Elementary identifies students with subtle language problems who "pass" other language tests. The test evaluates the ability to attach increasingly more meaning to information received to then formulate an expressive response.The skills evaluated are discrete and carefully controlled, beginning with simple tasks and progressively increasing the language processing demand placed upon the student. This hierarchical approach ensures evaluation of prerequisite skills for increased processing demand. There are two pretests and six subtests. Each subsequent subtest builds on the skills previously evaluated. The test items are valid clinical indicators of the ability to attach meaning to language.

All pretests and subtests are administered to each student with one exception—the Multiple Meanings subtests should not be administered to 5-0 through 5-11 year olds. Directions are read aloud to the student. All responses are verbal. Testing time: 35 minutes.

Subtests

• Pretest 1: Labeling
  Name pictures with a one-word response.
• Pretest 2: Stating Functions
  State a verb that describes the function of a specific noun.
• Subtest A: Associations
  Name an additional item that is typically associated with a specific noun.
• Subtest B: Categorization
  Name at least three items that belong to the specific category presented.
• Subtest C: Similarities
• Compare two items and state the similar characteristics that place them in the same category.
• Subtest D: Differences Contrast two items and state the differences between them.
• Subtest E: Multiple Meanings State three definitions for each stimulus word. Each stimulus word is presented in three different sentence contexts. To receive full credit, the student must provide an acceptable definition for two of the three sentences.
• Subtest F: Attributes Spontaneously describe a specific noun. Success on this task is evaluated by the number of different attribute areas, or depth of processing, that the student addresses without the use of prompts.

Test Scoring/Types of Scores
For Pretest 1, Pretest 2, and Subtests A through E, a correct response is scored as 1. An incorrect response is scored as 0. In some subtests, the examiner writes in the student's response for comparison to the scoring standards. For subtest F, 1 point is given for every attribute category stated appropriately by the student. Raw scores are converted to:

• Age equivalents
• Percentile Ranks
• Standard Scores

Discussion of Performance
The Discussion of Performance section in the Examiner's Manual helps you bridge from assessment to treatment. Academic manifestations of poor test performance are described. Remediation guidelines for each subtest/skill level are included.

Standardization and Statistics
The Language Processing Test 3 Elementary was normed on 1,313 subjects. These subjects represented the national school population from the latest National Census for race, gender, age, and educational placement.

• Reliability: established by the use of the following for all subtests and the total test at all ages:
  
  • SEM
  • Inter-rater reliability
  • Test-Retest
  • Reliability based on item homogeneity (KR20)
  Validity: established by the use of content validity which reflects the important language processing skills and developmentally-appropriate language demands of elementary school-aged students.
  
  • Contrast groups (t-values)
  • LPoint biserial correlations
  • Subtest intercorrelations
  • Correlations between subtests and total test
  Contrast Groups (t-values) comparisons show the test has a highly satisfactory ability to differentiate subjects with language disorders from subjects developing language normally. Combined subtest intercorrelations reveal acceptable levels across all age levels.
• Race/Socioeconomic Group Difference Analyses: conducted at the item and subtest levels. The analyses show no significant difference when comparing race and minimal differences when comparing SES on the LPT 3. Tests included:
  
  • z-tests
  • Chi square analysis
  • Analysis of variance (ANOVA) F-tests

Complete kit includes examiner's manual and 20 test forms.