The TOWRE measures an individual's ability to pronounce printed words accurately and fluently. Administered in just 5 to 10 minutes, the test is an efficient way to assess two skills that are critical to overall reading proficiency--the ability to sound out words quickly and accurately and the ability to recognize familiar words as whole units. These skills are so important that the National Research Council advises that every reading curriculum include procedures for measuring them. The TOWRE is a fast, efficient way to achieve this goal.

    The TOWRE includes two subtests, each available in two equivalent forms (A and B):

    Sight Word Efficiency

assesses the number of printed words that can be accurately identified in 45 seconds.

    Phonetic Decoding Efficiency

measures the number of pronounceable printed nonwords that can be accurately decoded in 45 seconds.

    Normed on more than 1,500 individuals between the ages of 6 and 24, the TOWRE generates percentiles, standard scores, age equivalents, and grade equivalents.

    Because the TOWRE is brief and economical, it is ideal for monitoring the growth of phonemic decoding and sight word reading skills in early elementary grades. It is also useful in diagnosing specific reading disabilities in older children and young adults.