An essential component of the MTA curriculum is the spelling probe. Spelling probes should be performed every two weeks to evaluate student progress in the spelling portion of the curriculum. Amplio has digitized the process to make conducting spelling probes efficient and repeatable with software assisted evaluation and data collection.
Getting Started
Spelling probe activities are assigned according to the "MTA Spelling Probe Prerequisite List" that you can access and download from the Resources tab.
To access the reading probes from the Classroom, filter activities by component and scroll down to MTA Spelling.
Conducting the Probe
Select and assign the appropriate activity for your student. In the activity, there is a list of words along the left edge of the probe in a preset order.
As with all activities, select the Show instructions icon in the activity to reveal a script and detailed steps for how to run the spelling probe activity. Follow the activity instructions to get started and introduce the first word.
From their screen, the student will follow the save our spelling (SOS) steps to spell out the word and submit their answer. After submitting, the student is not able to change their answer and it is your turn to introduce the next word. The platform automatically determines if the spelling submitted is correct and documents any miscues and their causes.
The tool detects and categorizes each miscue into two parts or levels:
After completing the probe, evaluate the automated findings and edit them for 100% accuracy. For Concept errors, you may need to select the Level 2 classification from the dropdown menu.
Note: A word may have more than one error type.
You can add an error or replace the automated errors to address unique student responses.
Select Add Error
Select the type of error (Level One)
Mark the error as prompted
Select classification (Level Two)
Select the X to remove the incorrectly recorded error (if needed)
Once each incorrect word has been evaluated, select Done to complete the probe and continue the session.
Reviewing the Data
All probe data is tracked and the results are available in the student profile for later analysis. To review the results in their profile after the session:
1. Navigate to the Students and Groups page and select the student's name from your list
2. Select the student's profile button to reveal their profile data and scroll down to the Spelling category
3. Select the bar graph for the session you want to view
4. When the probe report opens, select the Show words button to view and make any final changes to the spelling probe data.
Visit the help center for more articles and videos about specific features of the platform, curriculum related guidance, and general troubleshooting.
Amplio Training for MTA
MTA Spelling Probe
Duration: 30 Minutes
Learn how to accurately conduct spelling and reading probes for the Amplio platform. For MTA curriculum trained educators.