The Morrison-McCall Spelling Scale is a standardized dictated
spelling test containing eight subtests. The Morrison-McCall Spelling Scale is recommended as an assessment tool for Johnny Can Spell instruction. The testing booklet is included in the Johnny Can Spell Teacher's Guide. It can also be downloaded here.
The test was developed to be used with spelling
curriculum that used the spelling list of high frequency words
researched by Leonard Ayres and the Russell Foundation. Test norms were
established in 1923 based on research with hundreds of students in US
public schools.
When the test directions are strictly adhered
to, comparison of individual student progress using standard deviation scores can be tracked can from
one subtest to another. Also, when the same subtest is administered
during a school-wide testing window, horizontal grade level and vertical
school-wide comparisons can be made to determine grade level progress
and school-wide progress.
The Morrison-McCall Spelling Scale can be used strictly as a summative tool.
However, if one analyzes student misspellings on the test, it can also
be used as a formative assessment tool.