Should I enable audio support in English?

Pros of enabling audio support

Reduced cognitive load:

Providing audio support can help reduce cognitive load for students, especially those who may struggle with decoding text. This allows them to focus more on comprehension and the actual skills being assessed rather than the mechanics of reading.

Optional use encourages autonomy:

Even when the audio feature is enabled, students must actively choose to tap on the speaker icon. This promotes self-regulation and autonomy, enabling students to determine when and if they require support.

Universal accessibility:

With advancements in technology, text-to-speech accessibility is widely available. Including audio aligns with inclusive practices, supporting students with diverse learning needs, including those with dyslexia, visual impairments, or language processing challenges.

Assessment integrity:

The assessments are not designed to measure oral reading fluency or decoding skills. Therefore, having the text read aloud does not compromise the assessment’s validity, as it still accurately evaluates comprehension, vocabulary, and language skills.

Triangulation with oral reading assessments:

Oral reading assessments can complement Essential Assessment data, providing a fuller picture of a student’s reading abilities. This triangulation helps educators identify specific areas of strength and need without relying solely on one assessment method.

Potential cons

While there aren’t strong cons, some considerations include:

Equity in usage:

Inconsistent access to headphones or quiet environments could affect how comfortably students can use the audio feature. Ensuring all students have equal access can address this concern.

Overall, the benefits of having audio available far outweigh any minor considerations, particularly when used thoughtfully alongside other assessment tools.

Final Considerations for schools:

Whilst the final decision to enable or disable the audio feature rests with the school, these factors are important to consider. Ultimately, it comes down to ensuring consistency in data collection. If the audio is turned on for assessments, it should be consistently available for all students to maintain the reliability and comparability of the data.

This type of decision should be clearly documented within your school’s Essential Assessment norms of practice, ensuring that all educators follow a shared approach, fostering both equity and consistency across classrooms and cohorts.