TOWE: Test of Written Expression

The TOWE reports its scores in raw scores, standard scores (M = 100, SD = 15), and percentile ranks. The scale consists of a normative sample of 1,226 students residing in 21 states. The sample is representative of the nation as a whole across gender, race, and geographic region. Evidence of validity and reliability (internal consistency, test ­retest, interscorer) is provided in the test manual (averaged coefficients are in the .90s). Three types of validity are explored: content validity, criterion-related validity, and construct validity. Criterion-related validity was determined by correlating the scale¹s results with writing scores from the Test of Written Language, the Wide Range Achievement Test, and the Diagnostic Achievement Battery, among others. Construct validity was established by computing the scores of the TOWE with scores from numerous aptitude measures, such as the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children and the Detroit Tests of Learning Aptitude, and scores from various scales of achievement, including the Woodcock-Johnson – ­Revised and the Gray Oral Reading Tests – ­Third Edition.

Ron McGhee • Brian Bryant • Stephen Larson Diane