English 
by Joseph K. Torgesen, PhD, Richard K. Wagner, PhD, and Carol A. Rashotte, PhD
Purpose: Assess efficiency of sight word recognition and phonemic decoding
Age: 6-24yrs
Admin: Individual
Time: 5-10 minutes per form
Qualification Level: B (Specialist Teacher)
The TOWRE-2 measures an individual’s ability to pronounce printed words (i.e., sight word efficiency) and phonemically regular nonwords (i.e., phonemic decoding efficiency) accurately and fluently. Because it can be administered very quickly, the test provides an efficient means of monitoring the growth of these two types of word reading skills, which are critical in the development of overall reading ability.
Because both subtests include new word lists, four alternate forms of each subtest are now available, making the test more useful for monitoring progress and evaluating the impact of instructional interventions. The Sight Word Efficiency (SWE) subtest assesses the number of real words that an individual can accurately identify within 45 seconds. Similarly, the Phonemic Decoding Efficiency (PDE) subtest measures the number of pronounceable nonwords that an individual can accurately decode within 45 seconds. The four forms of each subtest are of equivalent difficulty, and any of the forms of each subtest may be given depending on the purposes of the assessment. The manual has been extensively revised and provides new information about the validity and reliability of the TOWRE-2.
Use the TOWRE-2
For early identification. The TOWRE-2 can be used identifying children in the early primary years who will require more intensive or explicit instruction in word reading skills in order to make adequate progress in learning to read.
For the diagnosis of reading difficulties. The test is also being widely used as part of a battery of tests for diagnosis of specific learning difficulties in older children and adults. The TOWRE-2 can be used either as a replacement for or as a supplement to standard diagnostic tests of context-free word reading ability currently in use.
In research. Since its publication in 1999, the TOWRE has been widely used in research as a quick and reliable assessment of word-level reading skills in both large and small research populations.
