Abstract:
The Cloze Test in Haitian Creole is designed to determine the reading comprehension level of Haitian students in their native language as they enter and exit a transitional bilingual program of which the target language is English. The results are intended for use in making placement decisions in levels 2.0 - 8.5, which correspond with years in grade school. The cloze passages were chosen for cultural relevance to Haitians living at home and abroad, especially in the United States, and sex stereotypes were avoided. For levels 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0, every fifth word was deleted. At levels 4 to 8.5, every seventh word was deleted. Examinees fill in words for progressively more difficult reading passages until they are unable to determine any more deleted words. Reading level is based on the level of the passage on which the examinee obtains the highest number of correct responses before his/her response rate declines. Answer keys and instructional level charts used for determining reading levels are included with the test materials. No reliability or validity studies had been performed before publication.