Validity of the American Sign Language Discrimination Test

Abstract

American Sign Language (ASL) is one of the most commonly taught languages in North America. Yet, few assessment instruments for ASL proficiency have been developed, none of which have adequately demonstrated validity. We propose that the American Sign Language Discrimination Test (ASL-DT), a recently developed measure of learners’ ability to discriminate phonological and morphophonological contrasts in ASL, provides an objective overall measure of ASL proficiency. In this study, the ASL-DT was administered to 194 participants at beginning, intermediate, and high levels of ASL proficiency, a subset of which ( N = 57) also was administered the Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI), a widely used subjective proficiency measure. Using Rasch analysis to model ASL-DT item difficulty and person ability, we tested the ability of the ASL-DT Rasch measure to detect participant proficiency group mean differences and compared its discriminant performance to the SLPI ratings for classifying individuals into their pre-assigned proficiency groups using resource operating characteristic statistics. The ASL-DT Rasch measure outperformed the SLPI ratings, indicating that the ASL-DT may provide a valid objective measure of overall ASL proficiency. As such, the ASL-DT Rasch measure may provide a useful complement to measures such as the SLPI in comprehensive sign language assessment programs.

L2/Ln Sign Language Tests and Assessment Procedures and Evaluation

“…The ASL-DT assesses candidates ability to discriminate between differences in phonological properties in ASL. ASL phonology consists of the location of a sign, its handshape, orientation, movement, and morphophonology (Bochner et al, 2016). Candidates must discern differences between two sentences, that may or may not present differing phonological characteristics or minimal pairs.…”

“…Candidates must discern differences between two sentences, that may or may not present differing phonological characteristics or minimal pairs. The pre-recorded video stimuli, presenting ASL sentences, consist of 48 items (Bochner et al, 2016). (Bochner et al, 2016).…”

“…The pre-recorded video stimuli, presenting ASL sentences, consist of 48 items (Bochner et al, 2016). (Bochner et al, 2016).…”

“…Five out of the six types of sentences will include minimal pairs by one of the five phonological characteristics in ASL; location, handshape, orientation, movement, and morphophonology. The sixth type of sentences is identical (Bochner et al, 2016). responses, candidates will be categorized as either possessing a proficiency level of High, Intermediate, or Low (Bochner et al, 2016).…”

“…The sixth type of sentences is identical (Bochner et al, 2016). responses, candidates will be categorized as either possessing a proficiency level of High, Intermediate, or Low (Bochner et al, 2016). The ASL-DT appears to have strong evidence for validity and reliability.…”