Results
Pearson correlation coefficients between the DESD Reading Test standard score and WRAT-3 Spelling subtest and GORT-4 were large, with the exception of the WRAT-3 Word Reading subtest, which had a small correlation. Spearman rank correlations between the DESD Spelling score and the GORT-4 and WRAT-3 Spelling subtest were large to very large, but only a moderate correlation was found with the WRAT-3 Word Reading subtest.
Conclusions
The DESD Reading Test and Spelling Scale had significant correlations with the WRAT-3 Spelling subtest and GORT-4. However, the small correlation between the DESD Reading Test and the WRAT-3 Word Reading subtest indicates that some caution should be used when interpreting the results of the DESD Reading Test. Therefore, practitioners may find the DESD Spelling Scale to be a more useful tool in identifying children who may have reading difficulties.