The Supplementary Spelling Assessments SSpA are designed to augment the assessments of spelling that teachers make on the basis of how, and how well, children spell in their writing. By helping teachers test a range of spelling skills that may not always be evident in writing, the SSpA will broaden and supplement writing-based assessments of students' spelling. The tests are for Years 4-8. They may also be used for Year 9 and Year 10 students who are making slower progress with their spelling.
Features of Supplementary Spelling Assessments
Part 1: Achievement and Progress Assessments
When they are fully utilised, results and information from Part 1 include:
- progress in spelling performance via the SSpA scale
- comparative achievement against national norms
- progress through a developmental sequence for written spelling.
Part 2: Diagnostic Assessments
SSpA Part 2 has six subtests.
They are recommended generally for use with students from Year 5 and above who are making significantly slower progress or displaying significant weakness in the skills covered by the range of subtests.
There are two packs of diagnostic assessments. There are no additions to Part 2: Diagnostic Assessments because they can be used with Year 7-8 students in their present form.
Ordering paper tests
Tests can only be purchased by schools or parents/caregivers of homeschooled children with a current exemption certificate.
If you can't shop for tests online you can download the print order form at the top of this page and email to sales@nzcer.org.nz
Support and Advice
NZCER has a team of people able to provide a range of ongoing assessment support and advice to schools.
For advice about the use of this test or others, including possible workshops, next steps and conversations around making sense of your school assessment, head to our Education Advisory and PLD page to contact our Education Advisors.
We can also provide advice directly related to our NZCER Assist platform (subscriptions, setup, technical, data and reports).
Additionally, you can check out our knowledge and solutions centre here or contact us at assessmentservices@nzcer.org.nz