Spelling Assessment Tools
Spelling Curriculum-Based Measurement (S-CBM)
Reliable and valid Spelling CBM tools for universal screening and progress monitoring of students in Grades 1–8.
What Is S-CBM?
Curriculum-Based Measurement for Spelling
Spelling Curriculum-Based Measurement (S-CBM) is a brief, reliable, and valid tool for assessing spelling skills across Grades 1–8. Developed within the CBM research tradition pioneered by Dr. Shinn, S-CBM provides educators with an efficient, standardized method to identify students at risk for spelling difficulties and monitor their progress over time.
S-CBM uses dictated word lists drawn from grade-level spelling curricula. Students write as many words as possible in a timed format, and scores are based on correct letter sequences — a sensitive metric that captures partial spelling knowledge and growth. This makes S-CBM ideal for both screening and frequent progress monitoring.
As part of a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework, S-CBM data supports Tier 1 universal screening, Tier 2 and Tier 3 progress monitoring, and special education eligibility decisions under IDEA.
Key Features
What Makes S-CBM Different
Reliable & Valid
Research on S-CBM demonstrates high reliability and concurrent validity. Scores are reliable across administrations and raters.
Grades 1–8
Passage sets designed for use across the full elementary and middle school range, with multiple forms available for screening and frequent progress monitoring.
Correct Letter Sequences Scoring
Scoring is based on correct letter sequences (CLS), a sensitive metric that captures partial spelling knowledge and detects growth even in students with significant deficits. Correctly spelled words (WSC) are also counted.
MTSS-Ready
Designed for use within a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support framework. Understand students' spelling skills provides useful information for Tier 1 universal screening, serving as a second screener when multiple gating reading, Tier 2 progress monitoring, and Tier 3 and IEP goals and frequent progress monitoring.
Easy to Administer
Standard CBM administration — brief, group-administered format or for testing individual students. Minimal training required. Scoring is straightforward with clear decision rules.
Science of Reading Aligned
Fully compatible with Science of Reading-based instructional and assessment practices.. Spelling assessment reflects phonics and orthographic knowledge aligned to systematic instruction.
How Schools Use S-CBM
Four Ways Schools Put S-CBM to Work
Universal Screening or Second Gate
Administer to students in Grades 1–8 two to three times per year to identify students at risk for spelling difficulties and as a second gate when multiple gating to identify students who may need a more appropriately intensive intervention.
Progress Monitoring
Use weekly or bi-weekly with students receiving Tier 2 or Tier 3 intervention or to supplement Reading IEP goals progress monitoring to ensure spelling instruction is producing meaningful growth and closing the gap.
Special Education Eligibility
Provide objective, standardized data on performance and progress discrepancies to supplement information on the Performance Discrepancy to support or rule out Specific Learning Disability (SLD) identification under IDEA.
Goal Setting
Write IEP goals and Tier 2/3 intervention targets grounded in reliable spelling data that reduce the gap between a student's performance and grade-level expectations.
How to Order
Get the S-CBM Materials
To learn more about the Spelling CBM materials, contact Dr. Shinn directly. Pricing is available for individual schools, districts, and state agencies.
S-CBM Spelling Lists from HD Passages
$19.00
- Aligned to HD Passages phonics sequence
- Universal screening & progress monitoring
- Correct letter sequences scoring
- Digital download — immediate access
S-CBM Spelling Lists Grades 1–3
$19.00
- Grade-normed word lists for Grades 1, 2, and 3
- Universal screening & progress monitoring
- Correct letter sequences scoring
- Coming soon — notify me when available
Volume pricing available for districts & state agencies. Contact Dr. Shinn
Questions About S-CBM or MTSS Implementation?
Dr. Shinn offers bespoke webinars and consultation on MTSS screening, progress monitoring, spelling assessment, and more.